Walter Benson Rubusana

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Walter Rubusana

Walter Benson Rubusana (born February 21, 1858 in Mnandi, Somerset East , † April 17, 1936 in East London ; full name Mpilo Walter Benson Rubusana ) was a South African politician, congregational pastor and founding member of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC).

Life

SANNC delegation in London, June 1914. Left to right: Thomas Mapike, Walter Rubusana, John Dube , Saul Msane, Sol Plaatje

Rubusana's father was an advisor to the Xhosa king Sandile ka Ngqika. He was raised in the Christian spirit and attended Lovedale College , a mission school, after primary school . In 1878 he finished his training with permission to work as a teacher . However, he stayed at the college until 1880 and studied theology , after which he took a position as an assistant teacher in a missionary station . In 1884 he was ordained pastor and transferred to East London.

Rubusana stayed in East London until the end of his life and began his political career there. In the Boer War he supported the British side and campaigned for their victory. In 1904 he accompanied the Thembu king to the coronation ceremony of Edward VII. He stayed in London until 1905 and published his first book there. In 1909 he was elected President of the South African Native Convention in Bloemfontein ; In this capacity he traveled to London in 1910 as a representative of the black population together with Abdullah Abdurahman for the Coloreds and a white MP and others to protest against the establishment of the South African Union . The trip was unsuccessful, only the status of the high commissioners was retained. Upon his return, Rubusana announced that he would run for the Provincial Council of the Cape Province . Because of his good church and journalistic contacts, he won the election and became the first black member of the assembly. In 1911 he traveled to London again and took part in the Universal Races Congress . The exchange at the congress reinforced his view that a national-African organization was necessary.

On January 8, 1912, the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) was founded as a forerunner organization of the African National Congress . In addition to Rubusana, Pixley ka Isaka Seme , John Langalibalele Dube and Sol Plaatje were among the founding members. Rubusana was elected one of the vice presidents and was heavily involved in the actions against the Natives Land Act . In 1914 he was not re-elected to the provincial council; he lost to John Tengo Jabavu . When the First World War broke out , Rubusana offered to recruit 5,000 men if the government could train them in arms. Other SANNC leaders were also loyal to the government and offered support. Jan Christiaan Smuts thanked them for this, but declined the offers. In 1919 Rubusana retired from politics.

Rubusana was married to Deena Nzanzana, they had five daughters and one son.

Awards

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Rubusana, Walter Benson
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Rubusana, Mpilo Walter Benson (full name); Rubusana, WB; Rubusana, Walter B.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION South African politician (SANNC)
DATE OF BIRTH February 21, 1858
PLACE OF BIRTH Mnandi, Somerset East
DATE OF DEATH April 17, 1936
Place of death East London