VIASEN SOOBRAMONEY
INDIAN South African anti-apartheid heroes and historical figures within communities will be recognised as part of a drive to identify important sites and people involved in South Africa’s fight for liberation.
Speaking to POST at the launch of the John Dube Legacy Project, Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile, said plans were underway to ensure that community stalwarts were not forgotten.
“We have started the liberation heritage route, which will indentify important sites, individuals and infrastructure which have historical importance,” said Mashatile.
He added provincial departments and municipalities would consult with communities to indentify their heroes and the national ministry would provide support.
Mashatile’s announcement coincided with the plans of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government to erect statues of several anti-apartheid activists around the province, including a statue of Monty Naicker.
Premier Zweli Mkize unvield plans for a multi-million rand upgrade to the Pietermaritzburg train station at which Mahatma Gandhi was thrown off.
“We re-affirm our commitment to elevate our heritage treasures to get the recognition and honour they deserve. High among our priorities are the erection of statues of liberation struggle heroes, among them former ANC presidents Pixley ka-Isaka Seme and Josiah Gumede; Dorothy Nyembe, Margaret Mncadi, Florence Mkhize; Archbishop Denis Hurley; Moses Mabhida; Harry Gwala, Victoria and Griffiths Mxenge and Monty Naicker.
“The statue of Dr Langalibalele Dube and the tombstone of combatant Portia Ndwandwe are ready for unveiling,” said Mkize.
Mkize added a site had been identified to erect a memorial to Indian indentured labourers.
“We have progressed well to unveil plaques in various parts of the province to commemorate the arrival of Indian indentured labourers to KwaZulu-Natal. It is envisaged that all site and city rezoning challenges will be ironed out with the eThekwini Municipality to allow us to erect the memorial stone to mark this milestone,” said Mkhize.