On this Day in History – 5 November

Thursday, 5 November 1908

The Cullinan diamond was cut into two big stones, The Star of Africa and the Cullinan 2, as well as seven big stones and 96 small stones. The cutting of the diamond was a major event. It took experts three months to decide how to cut it and what shape to give the finished gems. In the end, the Cullinan diamond yielded nine major stones, 96 brilliant cut diamonds, and 9,50 carats of unpolished pieces. The largest stone cut from the Cullinan, the 530,20-carat Star of Africa, was set into the British royal sceptre. The other gems from the Cullinan eventually became part of other jewellery belonging to the royal family.

Monday, 5 November 1984

A stay-away by black workers in the industrial areas of the Witwatersrand and the Vaal Triangle was called by black unions and civic groups in protest against increases in rent and utility charges and over the unlawful arrests of black leaders. The Association of Chambers of Commerce estimated that 75 to 100 per cent heeded the call for a stay-away. Police respond by setting up roadblocks at the entrance of Sebokeng, Sharpeville and Boipatong, and buses were sent under police escort to take those to work who did not participate in the boycott.
The following day police reported that 15 black protesters and one policeman were killed in the violence, while 31 people were arrested. However, on 7 November 1984 the official death toll was given as 23. The boycott in black townships impacted heavily on other areas, with 600 workers dismissed at the Sasol plant for supporting the boycott. The stay-away also resulted in the arrest of most of the leaders of the labour unions in and around Soweto.

Thursday, 5 November 1987

On 5 November 1987, Govan Mbeki, member of ANC’s National Executive Committee and Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) High Command, was released from Robben Island after 23 years in prison. Mbeki had been sentenced to life imprisonment during the 1964 Rivonia Trial with Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, Dennis Goldberg and others. His release followed a call for all political prisoners to be freed, as apartheid was dying. Upon his release the government restricted him to the magisterial district of Port Elizabeth until November 1989. In February 1990, when the ANC and other liberation movements were unbanned, he resumed his duties on the ANC’s national committee.
While on Robben Island, Mbeki wrote many songs and manuscripts, which were smuggled out of prison. These writings are referred to as the Govan Mbeki Collection and are housed at the University of Fort Hare. In 1954 Mbeki joined the editorial team of the political newspaper, the New Age. In 1980 he received the Isitwalandwe Medal, the highest award within the ANC, for his dedication to securing freedom and democracy in South Africa.

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