27 Facts About Govan Mbeki

Govan Archibald Mvuyelwa Mbeki was a South African politician, military commander, Communist leader who served as the Secretary of Umkhonto we Sizwe, at its inception in 1961.

Govan Mbeki was the son of Chief Sikelewu Mbeki and Johanna Mahala and the father of the former South African president Thabo Mbeki and political economist Moeletsi Mbeki.

Govan Mbeki was a leader of the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress.

Govan Mbeki was sometimes mentioned by his nickname "Oom Gov".

Govan Mbeki was born in the Nqamakwe district of the Transkei region and was a part of the Xhosa ethnic group.

Govan Mbeki attended Fort Hare University, completing in 1936 a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and psychology and a teaching diploma.

Govan Mbeki met other African struggle leaders while attending the university.

Govan Mbeki was a member of the South African Communist Party from the late 1930s, and joined the African National Congress in 1935.

Govan Mbeki then set up a co-operative store in Idutywa and began a writing career.

Govan Mbeki left journalism in 1944 and became a government-nominated member of the Transkei Territorial Authorities General Council until 1950.

Govan Mbeki disparagingly referred to the council as a 'toy telephone': "You can say what you like, but your words have no effect because the wires are not connected to an exchange".

In 1948 Govan Mbeki stood as a candidate for the Natives Representative Council but lost the election.

In 1952 Govan Mbeki was imprisoned together with Raymond Mhlaba and Vuyisile Mini for three months in Rooi Hel for disobeying apartheid laws by participating in the 'Campaign of Defiance against Injustice Laws'.

In 1954, a tornado destroyed his store, and Govan Mbeki was dismissed from teaching again.

Govan Mbeki played a crucial role in ensuring that the pages and columns reflected the conditions, demands, and aspirations of black working-class people, particularly in the countryside.

Govan Mbeki worked on the Guardian, New Age, Fighting Talk and Liberation, and worked with 'Jock' Harold Strachan in the Port Elizabeth area, and helped him produce the newsletter Izwe Lomzi.

Govan Mbeki was meanwhile actively involved in the major campaigns of the day, including the revival of the African National Congress in the 1940s, the Defiance Campaign and the Congress of the People.

Govan Mbeki was involved, and, at his urging, Strachan assisted MK by turning his hand to improvised explosive devices based on substances like potassium permanganate, magnesium, glycerol and icing sugar.

In 1939, Govan Mbeki published his first book, Transkei in the Making.

Govan Mbeki was released from custody after serving 24 years in the Robben Island prison on 5 November 1987.

Govan Mbeki served in South Africa's post-apartheid Senate from 1994 to 1997 as Deputy President of the Senate, and then the Senate's successor, the National Council of Provinces, from 1997 to 1999.

Govan Mbeki was given state funeral during his son's presidency on 8 September 2001.

Govan Mbeki's remains were the subject of controversy in 2006 when plans were made to exhume them, and place them in a museum.

Govan Mbeki received an honorary doctorate in the Social Sciences from the University of Amsterdam in 1978.

Govan Mbeki was not present to receive the award, because he was serving a life imprisonment sentence on Robben Island.

Govan Mbeki received international recognition for his political achievements including the renaming of the recently opened health building at Glasgow Caledonian University.

The Govan Mbeki Health Building was inaugurated in 2001 at a ceremony featuring his son Thabo.