On Thursday 26 November 2015, Freedom Park will launch a temporary exhibition for the 30 Anniversary of the Mamelodi Massacre. The launch will be preceded with the wreath laying ceremony scheduled to take place at Freedom Park’s Wall of Names at 16h00.
“The purpose of this exhibition is to provide an incisive and blow by blow narrative of the painful and historic moment that changed the course of the history of the struggle against the heinous system of apartheid” , says acting CEO Ms Jane Mufamadi.
Some of the components of the exhibition are panels telling the story of what happened on the 21 November 1985, Newspaper clips of what was reported at the time, audio visuals, photographers, memory box of the untold stories, a banner of all names as inscribed at Freedom Parks Wall of names. Inclusive in those names is the name of a four months old baby part of the victims.
Mamelodi remains one of the embodiments of the struggle for the liberation of South Africa: Ensconced in the eastern part of Tshwane, Mams, as this township is affectionately known, prides itself of a sterling contribution in the liberation of South Africa, albeit through bloodshed. A number of gallant activist moves could be cited. Among these is the Church Street bombing carried out by struggle martyrs from Mamelodi.
Also, unforgettable is the historic march by the community of Mamelodi in 1985. Whilst this peaceful yet unflinching march was met with ruthless response from the apartheid forces, it became and indeed continues to be a landmark moment in the history of South Africa. The brutal killing of 31 peaceful protesters thirty years ago reminds us, as South Africans, of the hard journey all peace loving South Africans had to endure and sacrifice for the realization of the democratic principles.
The Mamelodi massacre should be understood within the historical and political context of the decade of mass revolt. On 21 November 1985 residents of Mamelodi embarked on a peaceful protest march to administration offices to present the mayor, with a list of grievances and demands, and the reception meted to them was a barrage of bullets from the apartheid forces.
Their grievances included high rental fees, withdrawal of the notorious South African Defence Force (SADF) troops from the township, un-banning of night vigils and weekend funerals and the restriction of mourners to 50 per funeral. These restrictions were part of the emergency regulations which were met with vengeance by the Mamelodi community.
Without sufficient warning to the demonstrators to disperse, the police used a variety of weapons including tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse the crowd of which elderly women predominated. Most of the wounded and the dead were shot from the back, and that was testimony that the protesters were not fighting with the security forces at it was falsely claimed by the Apartheid government.
Members of Media are invited to attend as follows:
Part One: Wreath Laying
Date: Thursday 26 November 2015
Venue: Freedom Park, Pretoria
Time: 16h00
Part Two: Exhibition Launch
Date: Thursday 26 November 2015
Venue: Freedom Park, Pretoria
Time: 18h00
Enquiries:
Naomi Madima
Freedom Park
Tel: 012 336 4006
Cell: 060 961 3851
