I have also heard from Mrs Marquard. She spent a few weeks in Johannesburg and is now in P’Maritzburg. Her husband, she tells me, has had repeated severe attacks of asthma and their doctor advised them to try the drier air of the interior.
I have not received the “Cape Times” yet and now the “Sunday Times” too have begun to behave erratically. I did not receive the issue of the 13th & 20th June and the 20th July nor have I received this week’s issue (25th July). I have written to the C.N.A.26 in Joh’burg to enquire. But [illegible].
How were the kids? I wondered how you were faring with the coal shortage reportedly acute on the Reef. Graaff-Reinet, too, had severe snowfalls. The drifts between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg were rendered impassable, the mountains were covered in layers of glistening crackling ice. The scenic beauty and grandeur are such as to fill an artist’s heart to the brim. But there were practical problems of fuel and food which concern hundreds of thousands of non-artists. I have not heard yet from Buti. He is the one who gives the news in detail. Nenti and Tshawe are too immersed in Church affairs and the only people they write about are our Church friends.
Well, this is enough for the present. Cheerio Kid & love to the other kids.
Your loving husband,
Mangi
Eulalie Stott,
Newlands, Cape Town,
to Benjamin Pogrund,
11 August 1963 (Ba1.2)
Dear Benjamin,
Thank you for your letter of 23rd July and for the copies of certificates enclosed.
I have seen the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Wilman and he had agreed to give the necessary visitors permit to Mrs. Sobukwe. He says she must write direct to him and ask him to send the permit to me. Then when she arrives in Cape Town, if the Magistrate’s Office is closed, it will not matter as I will have it and she will be able to take the boat to the Island in the Morning.
I asked for permission to visit myself – but was refused.
I shall almost certainly be able to arrange accommodation at an Hotel nearer town this time and will be able to do so as soon as you give me the word. I think that for all sorts of reasons it is best for the party to stay together and at an hotel, where they are quite independent.
Meanwhile I shall continue trying to find suitable employment. Has an official approach been made in this connection?
I suggest that I be sent a copy of the letter to the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Wilman, so that I know when to watch out for the permit and to make enquiries if it does not reach me by the Friday. Please do not forget to mention in the letter the reason for wanting the permit to be sent here, viz. that Mrs Sobukwe will be likely to arrive after the Magistrate’s Office is closed.
Glad to help people in distress.
Sincerely,
Eulalie Stott27
P.S. Terribly busy fighting municipal election. Hold thumbs, please.
Veronica Sobukwe
to the Chief Magistrate,
Cape Town,
[1963] (Ba1.8)28
Sir,
I shall be privileged if you could, Sir, allow me an interview with you to discuss the possibility of my joining my husband, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe during my forthcoming leave. He is detained on Robben Island.
I realise that you are very busy and that an interview may not be possible. If this is so, I shall be extremely happy to have your written permission allowing me to stay on Robben Island for the period of my leave.
My leave starts on the 22nd November, 1963 and is for a period of 28 days.
Wishing that my application will receive your favourable consideration.
Yours faithfully
Veronica Sobukwe
Robert Sobukwe
to Veronica Sobukwe,
22 August 1963 (Bc6)
Hello Darling,
I haven’t heard from you for quite a time now and was beginning to feel anxious, but Benjie’s letter assured me you were all right. And I was happy. Benjie also informed me that you intended to pay me a visit this month and I presume that your failure to have done so before now has been caused by the formidable difficulties of transport.
I have heard from Wolsey Hall.29 They received Fabian’s cheque for £50. That settles the matter of my fees and textbooks. I have written to Fabian and he’ll tell you what I said, I am sure.
Benjie sent me a good number of books and a photograph of their daughter, Jennifer. Quite a healthy and sweet little thing. Charles, too, has written and has sent me R1 (one). I appreciated the gesture because I know he just hasn’t a penny to spare. He tells me they have reduced his salary to that of a female assistant – about £18! He assures me, however, that this time he means business about having Mercy back. He is saving toward his lobola30 – so he says!
How are you, Little Woman? And what were the June holidays like with the kids around? You haven’t reported anything about Mili’s chest, so I take it she has got over her trouble completely now. I sincerely pray she does. She can’t afford to be losing classes every year. I must say she looks excellent in the photographs – a real glamour girl!
By the way, Charles wishes to visit Joh’burg, but fears that in my absence there will be nobody to show him the sights. I have told him not to worry. First of all you will be happy to have him there and as for entertainment he won’t lack it. Off-hand I can think of Matebula and Vara31 who will be too happy to make him feel at home. He says he is keen to see the boys. Apparently Mercy has been sending them glowing reports about the twins.
Dini’s report, of course, has sent Buti raving. He ran out of adjectives trying to describe his achievement. That boy has a very bright future, all right. And so has Mili. She is an intelligent kid, only very shy, as her mother is. And so was I too, before I started teaching.
I do hope you received my telegram asking you to send my Degree Certificates. One of them, I believe, is in your suitcase – the big one. Perhaps both are there, I am not sure.
I wrote to Dennis’ wife32 as I said I would, but I have not received any reply from her yet. I advised her to continue running the shop, if that were possible.
Did you manage to place the kids in a boarding school? I pray that you have, because that will relieve you of one cause of anxiety at least. And how is the work going on? When are you on night duty again? And which are your days off? I was doing some washing on Saturday and when I had finished, I found the smell of the soap on my hands so fresh and clean – just like you!
You have really made an impression on Mercy. She thinks the world of you as a nurse, a mother and a wife. So does Benjie. But your husband thinks that all they can say about you is but a pale reflection of the truth. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about his wife in these words: “She was as true to me as truest steel.” All I say about my wife is that she was God’s gift to me.
Well, Kid, give my love to Dedani & Dali and all friends. Tell Mama I am all right. She should not worry.
God bless you child.
Your loving husband,
Mangi
Robert