As President of the Pan Africanist Congress, Sobukwe had called on all Black South Africans to leave their pass books at home, walk to the nearest police station and demand arrest. Heeding his call, thousands of Black South Africans presented themselves for arrest at police stations nationwide. For Sobukwe, the 21st March 1960 had begun as any other day, but by nightfall his actions had determined the course of history in South Africa. That day sixty-nine people died in a hail of police gunfire in the Sharpeville massacre. The shooting reverberated around the world and emblazoned indelibly the profile of apartheid oppression on the consciousness of the international community. Caught off guard, the apartheid regime was now fully aware of Sobukwe's enormous influence and power. They imprisoned him for three years. Determined to neutralise his influence, on the eve of his release three years later, the regime passed a bill through parliament - the so-called "Sobukwe Clause" - which would enable his indefinite incarceration - as they put it - "this side of eternity".

Throughout his life, Sobukwe held the unshakable belief that, in his lifetime, South Africa would be part of a liberated united Africa. On the 27th February 1978, Robert Sobukwe - at the age of 53 - died of lung cancer. Sadly he did not live to witness his dream of South Africa's youth walking tall in a country they could call their own. As one of South Africa's greatest leaders, Sobukwe once wrote: "True leadership demands complete subjugation of self, absolute honesty, integrity and uprightness of character - courage and fearlessness - and above all, a consuming love for one's people." Tragically, South Africa has been denied the contribution of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on. Remember Africa ... remember Sobukwe!