Born 9 July 1910
Died 30 August 2001
Govan Mbeki, father of former South African President Thabo Mbeki, studied at the Fort Hare University where he met other African struggle leaders.
Mbeki played a vital role in ensuring that the New Age – the only South African newspaper serving the liberation movement between 1954 and 1962 – featured information reflecting the conditions of the black people, their demands as well as aspirations. The paper was banned in 1962, and following the development of a new one, the then Minister of Justice proceeded to ban the editors and writers.
Mbeki was both a leader of the ANC and the South African Communist Party and following the Rivonia Trial, he served 24 years on Robben Island together with Mandela, Sisulu and other struggle leaders. The ANC awarded Mbeki the highest honour through the Isitwalandwe Medal in 1980, and on his release, he served in the post-Apartheid Senate as well as the National Council of Provinces.
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