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Daniel Mogoasha Mokonyane (Mothlabaneng, South Africa, 16 October 1930 – London, 16 October 2010) was a South African political revolutionary and (in exile) writer and legal academic. Latterly residing in London, he was best known for his leadership during the 1957 Alexandra bus boycott, one of the most successful single-issue campaigns undertaken during Apartheid.^[1]

Political activism and professional life

Mokonyane was born in 1930 in Mothlabaneng, near Mahwelereng, in Limpopo province. After being expelled from boarding school in Polokwane for being argumentative about politics and the need for equality for all races, he moved to Alexandra Township in Johannesburg, living in a house owned by his father, to attend school in Soweto. He later majored in economics and philosophy at the University of Witwatersrand.

During his time at school, Mokonyane joined the Society of Young Africans (SOYA), a group aligned to the Non-European Unity Movement. He later left SOYA to join the Movement for a Democracy of Content. He met and discussed with many anti-apartheid leaders, including Nelson Mandela (African National Congress) and Robert Sobukwe (Pan Africanist Congress).

When the 1957 Alexandra bus boycott was announced, in protest against the local bus company's attempt to raise its fares, Mokonyane joined the boycott committee as Publicity Secretary and then later as the Secretary of the Organizing Committee.

He was frequently arrested and imprisoned during the campaign against the pass laws. In 1960, after the Sharpeville massacre, he was served with a Banishment Order from Alexandra township and fled from South Africa to the United Kingdom. He was appointed to a research position at the School of Oriental and African Studies in the University of London. He then studied for a law degree at the University of London, obtained a higher degree in human rights at the University of Kent and researched in planning law at the University of Wales. He eventually became a Senior Lecturer in Law at Middlesex University in North London, specialising in Jurisprudence. Despite increasing illness, he last visited South Africa in 2009.

Publications

Mokonyane published two books. Lessons of Azikwelwa: the Bus Boycott in South Africa (1979, second edition 1994) is a first-hand account of the Alexandra bus boycott.^[2] The Big Sell-Out (1994) is a vehement critique of what Mokonyane saw as a contemptible failure by the Communist Party of South Africa and the African National Congress (and others) to translate the removal of Apartheid into improving the lot of the masses.^[3] Both books were reissued posthumously in 2011, in corrected reprints with new introductory material emphasising their continuing relevance to South African politics, as well as biographical material.^[4]

Personal life

While in London, Mokonyane mixed closely with South African musicians in exile, such as Jabula, including his nephew the guitarist Lucky Ranku. Mokonyane's wife, Sue, predeceased him; he is survived by his partner, Mary. A memorial service for him was held in London and he was buried with a traditional funeral in Mahwelereng, where a brother and two sisters live.^[5]

References

^ As recognised by, for example: Anthony Sampson, Ruth First and Chief Albert Luthuli.
^ Lessons of Azikwelwa: the Bus Boycott in South Africa (London, 1979; second edition, London, Nakong Ya Rena, 1994).
^ The Big Sell Out by the Communist Party of South Africa and the African National Congress (London, Nakong Ya Rena, 1994).
^ Lessons of Azikwelwa: the Bus Boycott in South Africa and The Big Sell-Out by The Communist Party of South Africa and The African National Congress: Developments in South Africa and the Eclipse of the Revolutionary Perspective
^ In 2007 The Sowetan published an article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Azikwelwa boycott which erroneously stated that Mokonyane was dead: "Azikhwelwa(sic) was at forefront of struggle". The mistake was acknowledged on 4 December after Mokonyane phoned the paper: "Mokonyane to ill to return". However, even recourse to the Press Ombudsman of South Africa did not produce an apology – only, on 21 February 2008, a further acknowledgement of the error and a claim to have been misinformed: "Getting it right".

External links

[1] As recognised by, for example: Anthony Sampson, Ruth First and Chief Albert Luthuli.

[2] Lessons of Azikwelwa: the Bus Boycott in South Africa (London, 1979; second edition, London, Nakong Ya Rena, 1994).

[3] The Big Sell Out by the Communist Party of South Africa and the African National Congress (London, Nakong Ya Rena, 1994).

[4] Lessons of Azikwelwa: the Bus Boycott in South Africa and The Big Sell-Out by The Communist Party of South Africa and The African National Congress: Developments in South Africa and the Eclipse of the Revolutionary Perspective

[5] In 2007 The Sowetan published an article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Azikwelwa boycott which erroneously stated that Mokonyane was dead: "Azikhwelwa(sic) was at forefront of struggle". The mistake was acknowledged on 4 December after Mokonyane phoned the paper: "Mokonyane to ill to return". However, even recourse to the Press Ombudsman of South Africa did not produce an apology – only, on 21 February 2008, a further acknowledgement of the error and a claim to have been misinformed: "Getting it right".

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+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
-'''Dan Mokonyane''' is a [[South African]] political revolutionary, a [[writer]] and [[law]] [[lecturer]]. Currently residing in [[London]], he is best known for his leadership during the 1957 Alexandra bus boycott, one of the most successful single issues campaigns undertaken during [[Apartheid]].<ref>As recognised by personalities including Anthony Sampson, Ruth First and Chief Albert Luthuli</ref>
+'''Daniel Mogoasha Mokonyane''' (Mothlabaneng, South Africa, 16 October 1930 – London, 16 October 2010) was a [[South African people|South African]] political revolutionary and (in exile) writer and legal academic. Latterly residing in London, he was best known for his leadership during the [[1957 Alexandra bus boycott]], one of the most successful single-issue campaigns undertaken during [[Apartheid]].<ref>As [[1957 Alexandra bus boycott|recognised]] by, for example: Anthony Sampson, Ruth First and Chief Albert Luthuli.</ref>
 ==Political activism and professional life==
+Mokonyane was born in 1930 in Mothlabaneng, near [[Mahwelereng]], in [[Limpopo province]]. After being expelled from boarding school in [[Polokwane]] for being argumentative about politics and the need for equality for all races, he moved to Alexandra Township in [[Johannesburg]], living in a house owned by his father, to attend school in [[Soweto]].  He later majored in economics and philosophy at the [[University of Witwatersrand]].
+During his time at school, Mokonyane joined the Society of Young Africans (SOYA), a group aligned to the Non-European Unity Movement. He later left SOYA to join the [[Movement for a Democracy of Content]].  He met and discussed with many anti-apartheid leaders, including [[Nelson Mandela]] ([[African National Congress]]) and [[Robert Sobukwe]] ([[Pan Africanist Congress]]).
-Dan was born in 1930 in Mothlabaneng near [[Mahwelereng]] in [[Limpopo province]], formerly [[Potgietersrust]].
-After being expelled from Khaiso Secondary School, Mokonyane moved to [[Johannesburg]] in order to attend high school in Western Native Township, later attending the [[University of Witwatersrand]].
+When the [[1957 Alexandra bus boycott]] was announced, in protest against the local bus company's attempt to raise its fares, Mokonyane joined the boycott committee as Publicity Secretary and then later as the Secretary of the Organizing Committee.
-During his time at school, Mokonyane joined the Society of Young Africans (SOYA), a group aligned to the Non-European Unity Movement. He later left SOYA to join [[The Movement for a Democracy of Content]].
+He was frequently arrested and imprisoned during the campaign against the [[pass laws]]. In 1960, after the [[Sharpeville massacre]], he was served with a Banishment Order from [[Alexandra township]] and fled from South Africa to the United Kingdom. He was appointed to a research position at the [[School of Oriental and African Studies]] in the [[University of London]]. He then studied for a law degree at the [[University of London]], obtained a higher degree in human rights at the [[University of Kent]] and researched in planning law at the [[University of Wales]]. He eventually became a Senior Lecturer in Law at [[Middlesex University]] in North London, specialising in Jurisprudence. Despite increasing illness, he last visited South Africa in 2009.
-When the [[1957 Alexandra Bus Boycott]] was announced, in protest against the local bus company’s attempt to rise their fares, Mokonyane joined the boycott committee as Publicity Secretary and then later as the Secretary of the Organizing Committee.
+==Publications==
-In 1960, after the [[Sharpeville Massacre]], and served with a Banishment Order from [[Alexandra Township]] with Josias Madzunya, Dan Mokonyane fled [[South Africa]] to the [[United Kingdom]].  He continued with further studies in law at the [[University of London]], the [[University of Kent]], the [[University of Wales]] and [[Nujie Universiteit]], [[Amsterdam]]. Dan earned acclaim as an author and academic, lately holding the position of Senior Lecturer in Law at [[Middlesex University]] in North London and specializing in Jurisprudence.
+Mokonyane published two books. ''Lessons of Azikwelwa: the Bus Boycott in South Africa'' (1979, second edition 1994) is a first-hand account of the Alexandra bus boycott.<ref>''Lessons of Azikwelwa: the Bus Boycott in South Africa'' (London, 1979; second edition, London, Nakong Ya Rena, 1994).</ref> ''The Big Sell-Out'' (1994) is a vehement critique of what Mokonyane saw as a contemptible failure by the [[Communist Party of South Africa]] and the [[African National Congress]] (and others) to translate the removal of Apartheid into improving the lot of the masses.<ref>''The Big Sell Out by the Communist Party of South Africa and the African National Congress'' (London, Nakong Ya Rena, 1994).</ref> Both books were reissued posthumously in 2011, in corrected reprints with new introductory material emphasising their continuing relevance to South African politics, as well as biographical material.<ref>''Lessons of Azikwelwa:  the Bus Boycott in South Africa'' and ''The Big Sell-Out by The Communist Party of South Africa and The African National Congress:  Developments in South Africa and the Eclipse of the Revolutionary Perspective''</ref>
+==Personal life==
-==Inaccurate reports of Mokonyane’s death==
+While in London, Mokonyane mixed closely with South African musicians in exile, such as [[Jabula]], including his nephew the guitarist Lucky Ranku. Mokonyane's wife, Sue, predeceased him; he is survived by his partner, Mary. A memorial service for him was held in London and he was buried with a traditional funeral in [[Mahwelereng]], where a brother and two sisters live.<ref>In 2007 ''[[The Sowetan]]'' published an article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Azikwelwa boycott which erroneously stated that Mokonyane was dead: [http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sowetan/archive/2007/10/16/azikhwelwa-was-at-forefront-of-struggle "Azikhwelwa(sic) was at forefront of struggle"]. The mistake was acknowledged on 4 December after Mokonyane phoned the paper: [http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sowetan/archive/2007/12/04/mokonyane-too-ill-to-return "Mokonyane to ill to return"]. However, even recourse to the Press Ombudsman of South Africa did not produce an apology – only, on 21 February 2008, a further acknowledgement of the error and a claim to have been misinformed: [http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sowetan/archive/2008/02/21/getting-it-right "Getting it right"].</ref>
-In November 2007, ''[[The Sowetan]]'' published an article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Azikwelwa boycott, which erroneously claimed that Mokonyane was dead.<ref>The Sowetan, 10th October 2007: "Our Terms, Our Wheels"</ref>  After an appeal to the Press Ombudsman of South Africa, the paper has since acknowledged its mistake.<ref>[http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=710559 Sowetan - News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
+==External links==
+* [http://danmokonyane.blogspot.com Mokonyane's blog]
+* [https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/nov/28/dan-mokonyane-obituary ''Guardian'' obituary]
+{{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Mokonyane, Dan}}
-[[Category:People associated with the University of the Witwatersrand]]
+[[Category:People from Limpopo]]
-[[Category:People from Limpopo Province]]
 [[Category:South African activists]]
 [[Category:South African expatriates in the United Kingdom]]
-[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
 [[Category:Alumni of the University of London]]
 [[Category:Alumni of the University of Kent]]
 [[Category:Alumni of the University of Wales]]
 [[Category:Academics of Middlesex University]]
+[[Category:University of the Witwatersrand alumni]]
+[[Category:1930 births]]
+[[Category:2010 deaths]]

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