The Individual, Auto/biography and History in South Africa

it would be possible to fulfil “one of our most important tasks”, namely, to “save the
youth the colossal wastage of the trial and error method”. 124
It would be fair to argue that The Awakening became one of the most discussed and
debated political texts during the 1950s. It was keenly read and reviewed in reading
groups and discussion clubs associated with the liberation movement. For some it was a
guide to the principles and strategies of political organising. Enver Hassim described in
1990 how those around him had met in their study group “to discuss it, chapter by
chapter”. It “enriched us … in ways I can never convey”. With Tabata’s writing and
speeches, Hassim suggested, there was “a vision of mankind and a comprehension of
history that will never be matched”. Tabata was “a colossus of his time” and “the whole
world is richer for his being”. 125 The codification of the ideas and political strategies of
the movement in the form of a struggle manual now bore the name of a single leader as
their author. And this author had demonstrated his mettle in the field two years before,
when he survived and overcame arrest and a trial at Mount Ayliff.
The release of The Awakening under Tabata’s name, intended to be an educational text
for the youth, gave Tabata leadership lustre. The book was “the product of a rich
political experience”, 126 the Teachers’ Vision declared.
For every conscious non‐European knows the role which Mr.
Tabata himself has played throughout the long history of the
Convention. Only one who has helped to make this history
could describe and analyse it thoroughly, with a grasp of all
nuances. 127
The circulation of the book served to consolidate and extend the pool of young activists
who entered Tabata’s orbit of influence as disciples, and confirmed Tabata’s position as
mentor, teacher and theoretician‐in‐chief.
124 I.B. Tabata to Rev. Z.R. Mahabane, 1 June 1950; I.B. Tabata to George Padmore, 25 May, 1950, I.B.
Tabata Collection, BC 925.
125 Enver Hassim to Jane Gool, c.October 1990, read by Jane Gool as part of my interview with her, 25‐
28 January 1991.
126 Teachers’ Vision, Vol 18, No 4, December 1951, p 17.
127 Teachers’ Vision, Vol 18, No 4, December 1951, p 17.
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