Eastern Cape-born author and academic Professor Menzi Duka has released his latest book, Matthew Goniwe on a South African Frontier, in the late anti-apartheid activist’s hometown of Cradock.
The book was launched at the Matthew Goniwe High School, in the Lingelihle community hall and the Cradock town hall last Monday. It details the journey of the Goniwe family from the former Transkei to Cradock, where Matthew was born, as well as the role played by the town in the early struggle days of the ANC.
Duka has already authored a biography of Canon James Arthur Calata, one of the great sons of Africa, which was published in 2011.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch about his new book, Duka said Goniwe, who was a school teacher, was born into a political environment and was involved in debates that led to the formation of the black consciousness movement.
“He was rooted in the ANC and the South African Communist Party. He taught in Cradock and played a role in the formation of the Marxist underground movement and the people’s front for the liberation of South Africa,” he said.
Duka said Goniwe was made an organiser of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
As a Cradock community leader, Goniwe was assassinated along with Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli by the apartheid government on their return from a UDF meeting in Port Elizabeth on June 27 1985.
Now referred to as the Cradock Four, both Goniwe and Calata were school teachers and activists, Sparrow Mkhonto was a railway worker and unionist, and Mhlauli was a childhood friend of Goniwe’s who was with them simply to catch up with his friend.
Duka said Goniwe’s greatest legacy was his teachings, which are covered in the book.
“The book also covers his discipline, how he saw the future of South Africa and the class struggle. He championed free democratic education for the country, where this system would liberate black children which will liberate the country in the end.
“I felt there was no complete biography of Calata, hence I wrote my first book about Calata and the contribution he made in the struggle. I felt the same about Matthew Goniwe. There are books about him, but none of them looks deeply into his role in the struggle,” he said.
Duka said Goniwe played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid struggle.
“He was a strategist, a thinker, a unifier of people irrespective of colour, race, creed or religion. He was a revolutionary,” said Duka.
He started researching the book in 2005 with the help of Rhodes University’s Institute of Social and Economic Research in Grahamstown. — thembiles@dispatch.co.za
Book examines role of Goniwe in the struggle
The book was launched at the Matthew Goniwe High School, in the Lingelihle community hall and the Cradock town hall last Monday. It details the journey of the Goniwe family from the former Transkei to Cradock, where Matthew was born, as well as the role played by the town in the early struggle days of the ANC.
Duka has already authored a biography of Canon James Arthur Calata, one of the great sons of Africa, which was published in 2011.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch about his new book, Duka said Goniwe, who was a school teacher, was born into a political environment and was involved in debates that led to the formation of the black consciousness movement.
“He was rooted in the ANC and the South African Communist Party. He taught in Cradock and played a role in the formation of the Marxist underground movement and the people’s front for the liberation of South Africa,” he said.
Duka said Goniwe was made an organiser of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
As a Cradock community leader, Goniwe was assassinated along with Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli by the apartheid government on their return from a UDF meeting in Port Elizabeth on June 27 1985.
Now referred to as the Cradock Four, both Goniwe and Calata were school teachers and activists, Sparrow Mkhonto was a railway worker and unionist, and Mhlauli was a childhood friend of Goniwe’s who was with them simply to catch up with his friend.
Duka said Goniwe’s greatest legacy was his teachings, which are covered in the book.
“The book also covers his discipline, how he saw the future of South Africa and the class struggle. He championed free democratic education for the country, where this system would liberate black children which will liberate the country in the end.
“I felt there was no complete biography of Calata, hence I wrote my first book about Calata and the contribution he made in the struggle. I felt the same about Matthew Goniwe. There are books about him, but none of them looks deeply into his role in the struggle,” he said.
Duka said Goniwe played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid struggle.
“He was a strategist, a thinker, a unifier of people irrespective of colour, race, creed or religion. He was a revolutionary,” said Duka.
He started researching the book in 2005 with the help of Rhodes University’s Institute of Social and Economic Research in Grahamstown. — thembiles@dispatch.co.za
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