WeeklySA_AdminRICH: The objective is to record and preserve the rich history and culture of the community…
By Monk Nkomo
Several political activists who were shot and killed by apartheid security policemen during the upheavals triggered by the education crisis and rent boycotts in Atteridgeville almost seventy years ago and community members who played a major role in the positive development of the township, were honoured at a colourful ceremony held at the local community hall.
A total ninety-two people including medical practitioners, journalists, lawyers, educationists, musicians, ministers of religion, soccer players, business owners as well as radio personalities – who have all passed on – were honoured during the celebration of the township’s 83rd anniversary and Heritage Day celebrations which was graced by Archbishop Abraham Sibiya last weekend. Plaques, situated on the Pheli Memorial Wall outside the Community Centre and bearing the names of the ninety-two honoured men, women and children, were unveiled by Archbishop Sibiya.
The event was organized by the Atteridgeville Heritage and History Foundation (AHHF), a non profit, non partisan organization which was formed in May, 2015 to record and preserve the rich history, culture and heritage of the local residents.
Chairman of AHHF, Oupa Masuku, said this would be achieved through the writing of books, publications, dialogues, memorial lectures and arts and cultural events.
‘’ We plan to honour all our heroes and heroines, alive and deceased, irrespective of their political affiliation, gender, age or creed who contributed positively in the developmental progress of this great township – Pheli’’, said Masuku.
Speakers included local author, Titus Mafolo, who was the guest speaker and Tshwane Ward 62 Councillor, Esther Masuku. Guests were entertained by the local cultural group, Pheli Melodies.
Those honoured included the late Presidential spokesperson, Ronnie Mamoepa, Mrs. Madiphoso Masuku ( mother of Oupa Masuku), who died after police hurled a handgrenade into her house in 1986; Dr. Abram Nkomo, Godfrey Mafuya, who was 15 years-old when he was shot and crippled by security police in December 1985.
He never recovered from his injuries as he was wheelchair bound until he died in December 1987. Other youths who died at the hands of the apartheid police were Mita Ngobeni who was shot dead while playing in her parents’ yard at Masopha Street, Saulsville and Kgomotso Ditshego who was killed during a peaceful protest by students.
The following residents were also honoured : Jan Shoba, leader of the Azanian People’s Liberation Army, who was gunned down by enemy agents outside his home in Saulsville, lawyers- Tiego Moseneke, Pharis Mkhwanazi and Dabulamanzi Tantsi, Father John Tsebe of the Anglican Church, Dr. Thabo Mamoepa, Lucky Ndebele, journalists – Kenneth Lebethe, Patrick Hlahla and Edgar Dassie, Professors Cornelius Marivate and Arthur Ngwezi, Steven Maboa ( Hofmeyr High school principal), Jacob Mgulwa, ( Mboweni primary school principal), Ben Etsane, Troderick Ledwaba, and Podu Mamabolo ( teachers), Zodwa Fanele and Rosina Mphahlele, nursing sisters, sports administrator, Robert Tshankie, police Colonel, Vincent Maleka; radio personalities Getz Komane and Justice Tshungu, Jackie Mofokeng, Mary Magodielo, Dinah Mokone ( beauty queen), soccer stars, Stanley Mogale, Norman Nzama, Goodman Kgatle, Solomon ‘’ Sweetie’’ Mogashoa, Goodenough Lexi Mothabela, Louis Kiwiet, Samuel ‘’Ewee’’ Kambule and Hendrick ‘’ Mauser’’ Matlala .
Business owners who were also remembered are : Michael Peta, Johannes ‘’ One Time’’ Letsoalo, Lavius Mashile, Elias Ledwaba and Elias Rambau ( Funeral undertakers), Ariel Ramatsui, Freddie Shongwe, Barry Mathole, Mmapula Mathibedi ( taxi operator). Musicians, James ‘’ Deeley’’ Tsweleng and Samuel ‘’Lakes’’ Maleka, both of Four Sounds Plus Three, a jazz group.
The families of the men, women and children whose lives were remembered for their contribution to the development of the township, were given framed certificates in memory of the important roles they had played in society.
