The Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Ms Makhotso Maggie Sotyu to lead the unveiling of graves of the Zwelethemba nine and a memorial wall, Zwelethemba, Western Cape
The liberation struggle affected South Africans in many ways. Zwelethemba was one of the townships where young people were shot and killed in 1985 for fighting against past laws. The community was also displaced during the era of forced removals hence the name Zwelethemba; born from the pain of apartheid. The Zwelethemba Arts and Culture Forum, a community organisation with an interest in conserving Arts, Culture and Heritage initiated a project titled Sbonga Amaqhawe in 2017. The concept included the construction of a memorial wall and upgrading of 9 graves with the assistance of National Department of Arts and Culture.
The DAC commissioned the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), the implementing Agency of DAC to assist the community with the construction of a memorial wall bearing the names of 30 liberation struggle icons and 9 tombstones to honour them for the significant role they played in the liberation struggle.
The memorial wall and the 9 tombstones will be protected in terms of section 36 of the National Heritage Resources Act no. 25 of 1999. This is imperative for future generations to note that any future alterations to the memorial wall and tombstones will require a permit from the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).
It is with this background that Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Makhotso Maggie Sotyu in partnership with the Breede Valley Local Municipality will lead the unveiling of the Zwelethemba Nine struggle icons’ graves. The youth were shot and killed by the apartheid security forces during the 1985 unrests that had engulfed the country including Zwelethemba.
The media is invited as follows:
Date: 8 February 2019
Venue: Zwelethemba Freedom Park, Worcester
Time: 09h00
RSVP: Mthuthuzeli Nqumba
Cell: 060 655 1495
E-mail: mthuthuzeliN@dac.gov.za.
Enquiries:
Nkhumeleni Thovhakale
Cell: 082 895 0482
E-mail: nkhumelenit@dac.gov.za
