Tag: SA History

JUNE 16 AND THE BETRAYAL OF A GENERATION

The mother of the nation, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela once brilliantly said: “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.” This is the sentiment that stands out when I think of the youth of 1976. Theirs was, and remains, one of the most profound sacrifices in our nation’s history. Yet today, it feels […]

MAMA’S SPIRIT, HALF A BAND: ZENZI MAKEBA’S TRIBUTE AT WITS

On a warm afternoon at the Chris Seabrooke Theatre, Wits University in Johannesburg did something rare: it filled a state of the art small intimate auditorium to celebrate an African artist without apologizing for her Africanness. The Miriam Makeba Tribute, a collaboration between the Makeba Foundation and the Wits School of Arts, was relatively well […]

MINISTER CHIKUNGA LAUNCHES 70 YEARS COMMEMORATION OF THE 1956 WOMEN’S MARCH

The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, will officially launch the 70 Years Commemoration of the 1956 Women’s March on Friday, 29 May 2026; As part of the National Milestones events. The launch marks the beginning of a national programme of activities commemorating the historic 1956 Women’s March, […]

BREAK BREAD IN REMEMBRANCE OF JUNE 16, 1976

Presidents deal with the state of the nationThe Class of ‘76 deals with the mind of a nation Rather than a gala dinnerNot in keeping with memoryOf brave hearts put downBy pull of a cruel triggerGather to break breadIn reverence of the deep meaning of this epochal moment to sink in. This is not mere […]

POETIC APPEAL TO REFRAIN FROM REDUCING JUNE 16, 1976 TO A CURTAIN RAISER FOR THE ACTS OF UNTHINKING AND UNCARING HEARTS

If this day holds no meaning to you,Go on and celebrate and still be free. Pardon my absence in your celebrations.The victories you are celebratingHave proved to be my defeats.Ask not thenThe honour of my presence,It will be unforgivable vanity to do so. This is no negotiationFor June 16, 1976 to be respected.The appeals are […]

HUNDREDS PAY HOMAGE TO BC ALEX TOWER, JAMES CHAUKE

Dozens of mourners today paid tribute to the fallen general of the Black Consciousness Movement – James Chauke in East Bank near Alexandra, Johannesburg describing him as a fearless fighter who loved his country. All round – speakers said he contributed immensely to the liberation of black people. Thami Hlekiso, former president of the Azanian […]

HUGH MASIKELA WAS NEITHER “A FREEDOM FIGHTER NOR POLITICAL ACTIVIST”

It is unfair for anyone to think or expect that Tribute to Hugh Masekela was about the celebration of a political icon. Yes, Bra Hugh, as the legendary musician was affectionately called, was …er a highly conscientized politically conscious artist. But he was neither a freedom fighter nor a political activist. More than anything, when […]

LAFA ELIHLE KAKHULU: FROM LAMENT TO NATIONAL RE-AWAKENING

In a marriage, betrayal is rarely accepted all at once. It reveals itself slowly — through disbelief, excuses, rationalisation, even denial. One clings to what once was, determined to “work at it.” And when acceptance finally comes, it is not relief that arrives — it is pain. Deep, unsettling pain. This is where many of […]

FARE THEE WELL, BRA JOE

Bra Joe Latakgomo was a gentle giant of Black journalism. Orally, he was not a man of many words. Almost a reserved personality, he treated people with respect. Even his objects of scorn, such as apartheid and its white establishments, he condemned with a sense of correcting, rather than ridiculing.  Joseph “Joe” Seshego Latakgomo breathed his last breath at Kalafong Hospital in Atteridgeville near Pretoria on […]

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA’S EULOGY AT FUNERAL OF HOSI PHYLIA N’WAMITWA II

“It is with great sorrow that we today bid farewell to a leader, a pioneer and a great daughter of the soil, Hosi Dr Phylia Tinyiko N’wamitwa II. The VaTsonga nation has lost a mother. Those who have experienced the pain of losing a mother will attest that it is one of the deepest wounds. […]

SPOKES, A SELFLESS SERVANT OF THE STRUGGLE THROUGH THE MEDIA

We buried Theophilus Sjuja Spokes Mashiyane. He was my childhood friend, a university mate and later a media colleague. We buried the bones, flesh and blood. But his spirit lives in our memories, hearts and souls. Friends and family spoke about his life, his achievements and intentions. However, I am not too sure if the […]

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO OFFICIALLY OPEN NELSON MANDELA RULES TRAINING ACADEMY

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, officially open the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at the Drakenstein Correctional Facility. Drakenstein Correctional Facility, formerly known as Victor Verster Prison, holds profound historical significance as the place from which Nelson Mandela walked to freedom on 10 February 1990. That historic walk marked a decisive […]