President Jacob Zuma will on Thursday, 12 July 2012, rename the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria to the Sefako Mapogo Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, after the second President of the African National Congress and a liberation hero.
The renaming of the Presidential Guesthouse is part of the Government’s programme of promoting social cohesion and forging a common identity and common values for all South Africans.
Mr Sefako Mapogo Makgatho was one of the outstanding South Africans who worked selflessly to bring about a truly free, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. Together with others, he led the struggle for liberation and of creating a better life across generations.
A renowned teacher, Methodist lay preacher, journalist, estate agent, unionist and a celebrated political leader, President Makgatho attended school in Pretoria, and later went to study education and theology in Middlesex, England.
He became a teacher for 20 years at the Kilnerton Training Institute in Pretoria, a school that produced prominent South Africans such as Joe Nhlanhla, Miriam Makeba, Lillian Ngoyi, Nthato Motlana and others.
A dedicated activist and human rights campaigner, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Transvaal African Teachers Association in 1906. President Makgatho was also a keen media activist, and helped establish a newspaper, “The Native Advocate”, co-owned with Advocate Alfred Mangena.
Details of the renaming ceremony are as follows:
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria
Time: 10:00
Media wishing to cover the event must please send their RSVPs to Hlomani Baloyi on 083 276 1295 or hlomanibaloyi@gmail.com preferably not later than 12pm tomorrow Wednesday, 11 July 2012.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@mweb.co.za
