Benjie told me he would be another week or so in Cape Town. Will you tell him from me that I am absolutely delighted with his choice of EVERY single item? In future I’ll send him my size only and he can experiment to his heart’s content with colour-combinations and fashions. Even the shoes which I first viewed with alarm (I am rather conservative, I admit!) are extremely comfortable and the pyjamas are a peach! The record player too, has arrived and I had a few turns on my creaky joints in the solitude of my room!
I do not know, though, what he would like me to do with the underwear. We had agreed on three sets. But when I opened the box I found they had sold him six briefs. There wasn’t a single vest. Unfortunately I do not have his Cape Town address. I would then have contacted him immediately.
I must say you’re looking well after Benjie. He’s looking fine. And he assures me that he is a model husband and father. And knowing him as I do, I take him at his word, of course.
Wishing you every success in your studies and a happy and blessed re-union with Benjie.
I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
BOB
Robert Sobukwe
to Veronica Sobukwe,
13 April 1964 (Bc15)
Hullo Darling,
Thank you for both your letters although the last one was just a note really, and for the Ten Rands.
Before I proceed to our own “boloton” I should just like to let you know that Benjie has arranged that I get regular supplies of tobacco and fruit and has also purchased all the items of clothing I mentioned in my letter to you. It’s all very expensive stuff he has bought and all of it top quality. So then, darling, there’ll be no need for you to send any “allowance” in future. I’ll let you know, Child, if there is anything else I need. The corduroy trousers, of course, are for someone with a waist twice the size of mine. But I am hoping to have that fixed. The shoes are very modern ones – a type I never thought I would wear. But they are extremely comfortable. He appears determined to wean me from what he terms my “conservative tastes”!
I remember you telling me when you visited Witbank that Theba was working on his car, but you did not tell me it had broken down, Sweet. How the blazes did you get back to Joh’burg? I don’t think he’ll ever buy a sound car. He just loves working with spanners and things. A sound car would leave him with no work to do.
Both Mercy and her husband are silent. I don’t hear a word from them.
Thanks for news about the kids. How did Dini like the book he received for his Birthday? Incidentally, the record-player has arrived and more records will be coming soon. I have asked for the Messiah so that I may again conduct an invisible choir!
You can’t imagine how proud Buti is that Mili and Dini can speak Sotho so fluently. If he had his way, you would be Mrs Rabohoe now. I can’t agree to that, of course. I love the position as it is, where we are a mixture of all the major African tribes. We just need a Shangaan wife for Dini and perhaps a Venda one for Dedani and we will be all right.
In her letter to me, Nenti gave her address as 464. I do not know how to interpret this, whether as a mistake or whether as an indication that they have bought the house next door. If it is the latter, then they are definitely becoming bourgeoise.
Thanks for news about Den’s wife. As you say, it is understandable that her in-laws should not favour the arrangement. But I agree with you that she will manage the shop well. And he, too, will be happy to know that his business is carrying on.
It was kind of you to write to Mrs Pullen. I haven’t met her either. I don’t know whether she has told you – her husband died suddenly about nine months ago. She still hasn’t got over the shock apparently. But she is quite a brave lady.
Yes, Fabian told me they had named their son after me and that he was born on the 5th Dec. Father Webber, too, wrote to inform me that he was leaving for the U.S.A. on Good Friday.
Well, Little Woman, so long for now. God bless you and the children. Love to Mama and friends.
Your loving husband,
Mangi (I can HEAR you call me that!)
Robert Sobukwe
to Nell Marquard,
17 April 1964 (Bd1.3)
Dear Mrs Marquard,
I enjoyed your letter a great deal and can assure you that I didn’t blame you at all for the delayed reply. I blamed the prison authorities – as I usually do. It provides me with something to grouse about. In any case I don’t wish you to feel obliged to reply except at your convenience. Yes, my letters to and from my friends do take rather long.
Thank you for your comments on education, although I think you are being a little severe on the democratisation of education. In all ages, really, real thinkers or what sociologists call “opinion-holders” have been a miserable minority. What mass-education and the mass-media of communication have done has been to increase not only the numbers but also the absorptive ability of the opinion-followers. English visitors to America have often commented on the identity of views held by most Americans. But the phenomenon is universal really. It is not pleasant to hold an unpopular view as all communists in America, capitalists in Russia, Christians in Asia, and Protestants in Spain will bear out.
I, too, enjoyed Trevor Roper’s16 articles. In fact I have found “The Listener” extremely informative. Thank you indeed for the regular flow.
Oh yes there is a taboo on relating folk tales by day. Very little has been done to collect folk tales in this country. No, I have not read the book that you mention but I agree with you that folktales throughout the world are strikingly similar. In animal tales what generally differ are the “heroes” and the “dupes” with unpredictable Africa holding up the tortoise against all-comers! – transporting him to the USA in your Uncle Remus’s stories.17 There are certain experiences that appear to be common to peasants throughout the world and these experiences are reflected in their folklore. And, of course, stories “travel”.
Thank you for your offer of seeds. I shall certainly need them. Onion and cabbage I still have but would be glad to have the others you listed. I do not know what type of fertiliser one would require for this soil and will leave the decision to you.
I have had two visits from Mr Pogrund this year and they were refreshing indeed, although I found myself groping desperately for words! Of course, I could remedy that by talking to myself regularly every day. But I am afraid that would alarm the prison officials who would most certainly conclude that I had taken leave of my senses. But of course I could do it indoors!
Again, thank you for the “little kindnesses”.
Yours sincerely,
RM Sobukwe.
Robert Sobukwe
to Veronica Sobukwe,
8 May 1964 (Bc16)
Hullo Darling!
Bennie has by now been to see you, I think, and to assure you that I am well. He has probably informed you, too, about the numerous arrangements he has made for my care and comfort. I don’t know what he would not have bought if I had allowed him!
I woke up this morning with our wedding anniversary in mind. It’s quite a stretch, Little Girl. And you have become more marvellous, year by year. Of all God’s blessings on me – and they have been very many – I thank Him most for you. Unfortunately I cannot send you any gift because I would like to choose it myself and it would be known only to us two! But my love and gratitude you have in plenty.
I received a letter from Lauretta [Ngcobo] the other day. She tells me they have a baby daughter – the third in an unbroken succession!
Mrs Pullen has written to inform me that she has received a letter from you and is about