‘Mandela was not the only struggle hero’

Published Nov 20, 2015

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Johannesburg - Struggle veteran Abdulhay Jassat on Friday called on South Africans to remember other struggle heroes who worked hard to fight apartheid while celebrating former president Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

“We always commemorate Mandela but tend to forget others who played an important role in the struggle. People such as Moses Kotwane, JB Marks and Duma Nokwe, among many others, most of whom died in exile,” Jassat said at the launch of the second installment of the Nelson Mandela Remembrance Walk in Johannesburg.

He also mentioned Marutle Flag Boshielo, who was an ANC national executive committee member stationed in Zambia.

“Flag never portrayed himself as a leader, although he was an ANC NEC member. There are a lot of people who died in exile, in Uganda, Zambia, Moscow in the former USSR and east Germany. We need to remember these comrades and never forget them and what they did for this country.”

He said he expected people to label him as being negative at a time when Mandela’s legacy was being remembered.

“I am not being negative but raising an important point in our democracy. A lot of progress has been made in this country, but more is still needed, especially on education and youth unemployment. I will take part and hope young people will join the walk too…they are eventually in charge of this country’s prosperity.”

Gauteng Sports and Culture MEC Faith Mazibuko said the walk served to capture the statesman’s legacy.

“Taking part in the walk is not only about celebrating his life and keeping his legacy alive, it is and should be a reminder to all of us that his life and death should not be in vain. Therefore we have to commit ourselves to justice, prosperity, equality and a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.

“This is a Mandela remembrance, Mr Jassat, let us all remember that,” Mazibuko said as she turned and looked towards Jassat.

The remembrance walk, led by the Gauteng government, will take place on 12 December in Pretoria, where Mandela’s journey to lie in state from 1 Military Hospital to the Union Buildings is set to be relived by around 10,000 people. The walk will start at Freedom Park, situated next to Kgosi Mampuru prison, and end at the Union Buildings. Those who complete the walk would receive medals.

ANA

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