Just two days after Freedom Day celebrations, Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane delivered a Freedom Day commemorative lecture at Kagiso Memorial and Recreation Centre to mark South Africa’s freedom as also done across the country.
Organised by Mogale City’s Heritage, Arts and Culture Section headed by MMC Charmaine Ntlatlane-Nzwane, the inaugural Freedom Day Commemorative Lecture got off to a vibrating start when featured keynote speakers Nomvula Mokonyane and Zara Ntsimane delivered impassioned addresses on Mogale City’s rich struggle history.
In her address, Minister Mokonyane said Mogale City must this year celebrate all local people especially young struggle fighters who fought for liberation. “When the country celebrates Tsietsi Mashinini, here at home we must celebrate people like Bonaventure Malaza who fought for liberation. In June this year, let us make noise and talk about Bonaventure who is the symbol of young people and a face that must unite young people across political affiliation. People of Kagiso liberated people of South Africa. We fought for liberation, others died and some exiled for the freedom of this country,” she said.
Malaza was a victim of the 1976 student riots in Kagiso. He died in Krugersdorp Prison due to injuries sustained when he was beaten severely by the apartheid police.
Ntsimane also did not mince his words when speaking about the land issue. “Our people were deprived of their land and their means of survival was only through being labourers. This was an emergence of the proletarian class in our area as our people were deprived every means of livelihood. The land issue has been the key issue informing our struggle for liberation from 1910/12 and at least today it has resurfaced,” he said.
It also emerged during the lecture that churches had been very instrumental in promoting community organisations and political mobilisation. People such as Sister Bernard Ncube and Reverend Frank Chikane who started his religious work in Kagiso played pivotal roles in the struggle against apartheid.
The occasion was graced by Executive Mayor of Mogale City Patrick Lipudi and Guateng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Faith Mazibuko.