KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has paid tribute Kings, Emperors, Chiefs, Warriors, great sons and daughters of the province of KZN who found themselves incarcerated at St Helena because of the forces of nature and changes that were forced over them for various reasons. He was addressing a multicultural event held at Woodburn Stadium today, Pietermaritzburg in commemoration of the Prisoners of War on St Helena.
“It is with pride and joy that today, 20 years after we achieved our freedom and democracy, we are gathered here together to celebrate the heroism of these sons of this soil.”
“It is true that our forbears’ encounters were characterised with hostility and violent clashes. But we must now bury those past differences, hostility, prejudice, fear and embrace a spirit of mutual respect and acceptance that we now constitute a unique nation on the African soil- a nation of diverse people derived from many ethnic groups and nationalities, cultures, religions, faiths, languages and belief.”
“We must respect each other’s heroes and history. Our acceptance thereof is the basis of our strength, unity and one South African Nation.”
“We pay tribute to more than 5000 Boers who were exiled in this remote Island by the British after the Anglo-Boer War between 1899 and 1902. Admittedly, there is a strong bond between us and the people of St Helena because though some of the prisoners were finally repatriated, records show that five prisoners elected to remain on the island, together with about 200 Boers who died in captivity and were buried on the island.”
“We salute about 25 Amakhosi and Izinduna, who were also banished to St Helena for their participation in the revolt against poll tax – the Bhambatha Rebellion in 1907. Their list includes: inkosi Meseni kaMusi Qwabe, inkosi Ndlovu kaMthimuni Zulu, Inkosi Sikhukhukhu kaNgunesi Mkhize, Inkosi Tilongo kaNgunesi Mkhize, Inkosana uNdabaningi kaSgananda Shezi, Induna Ntelezi kaKhukhulela Msani, Induna uFogoti, Induna uMhlonhlo (undunankulu wenkosi uBhambatha Zondi) and others.”
“The French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled in St Helena in 1815 after his defeat at Waterloo. The Zulu King Dinuzulu was also banished to St Helena in 1890 after he was found guilty for having participated in Bhambatha Rebellion.”
“Although Napoleon and King Dinuzulu spent different times at St Helena, one is tempted to imagine the encounter of Napoleon Bonaparte and King Dinizulu at St Helena. Had the two leaders met, surely the two leaders would have shared pain and sorrow. However, we must all acknowledge that their banishment to St Helena brought people from different racial groups together as a result a new friendship and families were formed as a result of this encounter.”
“Records show that there were weddings ceremonies were held which is a clear indication that it was in this Island wherein our forefathers paved the way for the formation of a Rainbow nation.”
“In this Island there were prisoners from Natal, Zululand including slaves from many countries in Africa, India, China, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and inhabitants from Britain and France.”
“Today we are saying we may think that we have different ancestral origins, but we need to accept and acknowledge that our history shows that we are One People and One Nation. We have a tapestry of cultures which we must protect and preserve for future generations.”
Heroes Monument in St Helena (promote tourism)
“Importantly we must explore the possibility of establishing a Heroes Monument in St Helena which can be assembled symbolically to allow for the public commemoration of our Heroes and Heroines as “founding fathers” of the new order. The site will strengthen the people-to-people relations and facilitate the staging of special occasions and ceremonies involving people from KwaZulu-Natal, St Helena, Britain and France.”
“As KZN government we are encouraging partnerships amongst non-governmental organisations, tourism bodies, museums and historians as well as academic institutions in our province and in St Helena. The Office of the Premier will co-ordinate this work including liaison with KZN Friends of St Helena, France and UK Embassies.”
Direct Flights from Ulundi, Pietermaritzburg to the new St Helena Airport
“The future is indeed bright, and we as government acknowledge our role as a tool to drive socio-economic development for the benefit of people in St Helena and KZN.
The construction of the new Airport at St Helena provides new opportunities to kick- negotiations focusing on the twinning of KZN province with St Helena. We must explore the possibilities of direct flights from our newly renovated Ulundi and Pietermaritzburg airports to St Helena Airport in the future because of the historical ties amongst the two cities with St Helena.”
“We need to host regular conferences to share ideas on how to facilitate the exchange of much needed skills to grow the economy of this remote Island.”
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 3754742
E-mail: ndabezinhlesibiya@yahoo.com
