Idabi lenkululeko eQonce
The following oral excerpts are displayed, in context, in the struggle exhibition, Idabi lenkululeko eQonce. We conducted 50 interviews for this project which are preserved in the museum archives. Copyright restrictions apply. We want to express our sincere gratitude to every person who agreed to be interviewed in our quest to understand the local struggle for freedom.
The project of collecting local struggle narratives is a vital and ongoing endeavour. A recording booth is available in the exhibition for new narratives.
Three interviews consist of readings adapted from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Final Report (https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/amntrans/el/eln4.htm and https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/hrvtrans/hrvel1/savage.htm) and “Out of the fire : Where Schooling Worked in Times of Crisis, All Saints College, South Africa.”
First Activists
Thabo Mbeki, ‘I am an African’, 1996 (recording)
Early Resistance
Nonkosi Limba-Mpondo on her early memories of Poqo
PAC activist on the Qonce police station attack, 1963
Miriam Makeba: Nants’ indod’ emnyama Verwoerd Pasop (recording)
Bhisho Massacre
Albert Whittles and the Museum Historian discuss the aim of the march
Phila Ngqumba recalls the trauma of the shooting
Brian Osteridge analyses the meaning of the massacre
Albert Whittles reflects on the outbreak of violence after the massacre
Phila Ngqumba remembers Grey Hospital after the massacre
King Golf Club Attack, 1992
Beth Savage (reading based on TRC report) on her journey
Thembelani Xundu (reading based on TRC report) on his role
The Road to Freedom (Religion)
Rev. Colin Jooste on Black Theology
Canon Pat Ncaca on malicious damage to church property
Paul Fahy on the KAIROS document
UDF
Ntombazana Botha on the role of the UDF
Albert Whittles on the formation of the Friends of the UDF in 1983
Gordon Smith (UDF activist) on co-operation
School as Battle Ground
Gordon Smith on being fired for his political convictions
Khanyisa Matsheke on police brutality (adopted from “Out of the Fire”)
Lunga Lefume on the school boycott at Forbes Grant
Sport
Mthunzi Mpondo comments on school and community rugby
Phila Ngqumba on the amalgamation of a Rugby Union
Brian Osteridge, Sports fields were often sites of struggle
On Detention
Ntombazana Botha on surviving detention
John Smith on the psychological effects of detention
Rev. Colin Jooste on sexual abuse and detention
Icons: Steve Tshwete
Brian Osteridge on Tshwete and the Security Police
Mthunzi and Pam Mpondo on Steve Tshwete and the Ciskei Cabinet
Icons: Griffiths Mxenge
Ntombazana Botha on Mxenge’s strong persona
Churchill Mxenge recalls Mxenge’s generosity
Icons: Victoria Mxenge
Churchill Mxenge on her presence at the Cradock Four funeral
Promotia Mangcu worked as part-time secretary for the Mxenges
Icons: Mapetla Mohapi
Nohle Mohapi-Mbetshu on her husband’s political life.
Promotia Mangcu remembering Mohapi at home
Icons: Steve Biko
Rev. Paul Fahy on the impact of personal liberation
Promotia Mangcu recalls a Forbes Grant Secondary farewell party
Icons: Victor Wilson
Valda van Heerden gives a private account of her father’s life.