GSDM, FPT sign MOU

THE arrangement and magnitude of the gathering was a stark contrast to the event it represented.
It was a low-key event taking place in a small guest house boardroom, but it was giving Sekhukhune’s role in the liberation struggle its rightful status.

GSDM executive mayor Cllr Namane Masemola and Freedom Park Trust (FPT) chief executive officer Dr Wally Serote with their delegations in tow, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Roshi Guest House – Marble Hall – two weeks ago.

The MOU was a commitment by both institutions to honour liberation fighters from this district and ensure that their role is archived for the benefit of future generations.

The Sekhukhune men and women being honoured, threw their all in 1958 when they braved the might of the apartheid government to resist the introduction of the infamous Bantu Authorities Act.

The insurrection, known today as the 1958 Sekhukhune Revolts, pioneered other uprisings against the monstrous regime anywhere else in rural South Africa.

The Sekhukhune liberation fighters are regarded in high esteem today as the precursors of rural revolts.

No wonder the low profile but significant signing ceremony saw Masemola and Serote engaging in deep conversation about the thorny path our forebears had to walk on since colonial times.

Serote took everbody back to the brave fight put up by legendary Bapedi leader, King Sekhukhune I, as he fought tirelessly against encroaching Voortrekker and British Colonialists in the 1800s.

“Out of this MOU must come a programme of action that will in no way contradict what King Sekhukhune I and the participants in the 1958 revolts stood for,” Serote said.

“We fought a war in this country and very little is being said about it. It is like a jacket that was once in fashion and has been forgotten,” he added.

Masemola said the 1958 revolt produced many liberation struggle heroes such Flag Boshielo and John Phala.

“The Sekhukhune liberation fighters were involved in armed combat long before the formation of Umkhonto weSizwe (MK),” Masemola said.

“People of this region made sure they fought apartheid and that is a legacy we are all proud of,” he added.

FPT researchers have met survivors of the Sekhukhune revolt and recorded their experiences.

The information gathered during this research will be archived in the Freedom Park in Pretoria, and after thorough consideration their names may be engraved on the park’s Garden of Remembrance.

The liberation fighters resisted the infamous Bantu Authorities Act under the banner of an ANC-linked organisation or movement called Sebatakgomo.

In 1958, the movement staged a violent revolt against the apartheid government resulting in the arrest of more than 200 protestors, 16 of which were sentenced to life in prison.

Sebatakgomo’s nucleus comprised of migrant workers based in Gauteng province. These members were giving direction and financial support to makgoshis (traditional leaders) and their counterparts back home to fight the apartheid regime.