UMLANDODURBAN LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUMS ISSUE 3 | DECEMBER 2012 Conserving Our Heritage - Caring For Our Future

BIRTH OF THE Nationalists-Communists Alliance Genesis of the AFRICAN RENAISSANCE

Youth Leadership THEN AND NOW

1 UMLANDO • December 2012 Contributors:

EDITOR: SUB-EDITOR: Bheki Mchunu Betsie Greyling

DESIGNER: PHOTOGRAPHY: Zimana Bashe Mlungisi Shangase

Allison Ruiters Anthee Ramlucken Devi Rajab

Hlengiwe Tenza Khanya Ndlovu Khanyisile Mfayela

Lihle Ndlovu Maypher Mohau Qalaza Mngomezulu

Nandi Hlatshwayo Rebecca Naidoo Rob Luyt

Rock Zuma Thevan Harry Witty Nyide

UMLANDO issue 3 First Published 2011 by the Local History Museums - Durban

Zama Mthembu

Editor: [email protected] | Tel: 031 311 2223

2 UMLANDO • December 2012 Contents

4 From the Editor’s Desk book reviews 44 Prodigal Daughters events 45 Conversations with Myself 7 Josiah Tshangana Gumede Exhibition 46 Poverty of Ideas 9 Pixley ka Isaka Seme Exhibition 47 The Battle for the Soul of the ANC 12 Anton Muziwakhe Lembede Exhibition 48 Conversations with my Sons & Daughters 15 Human Rights Day Seminar 49 Umkhonto we Sizwe 16 International Museum Day 18 Africa Day

19 Heritage Month 50 tributes historic moments 26 African Union 10 years on 28 Through the needle’s eye Cover: The picture of the Durban Technical Institute, commemorations which officially opened its doors on 12 July 1912 and is a precursor to today’s Durban 31 Reconciliation Day University of Technology and the University of 33 Youth Day KwaZulu Natal, is symbolically juxtaposed with 35 Heritage Day the overarching theme of this issue, namely, the 36 Women’s Day ANC Centenary. Both the 100 odd years of the first building of this institution and the 100 years 38 Freedom Day and Workers’ Day of the ANC are an apt representation of fortitude

and endurance. The two could also be said to opinions and views be symbols of knowledge and wisdom which the 41 Our government cannot do it alone ANC and the campus building are both products and sources of. 42 It’s in our hands PHOTO: VELANI NGCOBO

All material is copyright protected. All rights reserved. Queries should be directed to the Editor. However, the views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher or Editor. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of information, the Publisher and Editor cannot be held responsible for any errors or views expressed. © Copyright 2012

Local History Museums - Durban 3 from the editor’s desk

We have sought to deliver the subjects of heritage and history not as calcified, absolute and sterile, but as discursive, mutative and potent. PHOTO: VELANI NGCOBO

he maiden issue of Umlando, of heritage as a process, not merely a Conversely, if it gathers dust on coffee launched in June 2011, was product. tables or quietly passes the gaze of the primarily an introduction The shift from a descriptive reader without so much as a whimper, to eThekwini Local History and definitive angle to a deliberate we will have to go back to the drawing TMuseums. It acquainted the reader attempt to express and provoke board. with the structure of the organisation opinions has required a change in We believe that publications and individuals behind the key functions mindset. To instigate this change has such as Umlando could be used as a of the museum. The second issue been a challenge. The decision to use vehicle to turn the accepted purpose continued in the same inward-looking the ANC Centenary as an overarching of a museum as being largely about vein by delving into the core functions theme has compounded the challenge curatorship and preservation to one of the museum, but added feature given the complex nature of political of education, dialogue and problem articles on some of the local historical subjects. Therefore, the imperative solving. This requires a broad, personalities whose life stories are to be true to our trade as heritage socio-philosophic look into the field preserved in our museums, and practitioners and historians became - unfettered by political and narrow provided some reportage on activities more pronounced. Suffice it to say ethnic considerations. and programmes. What then does the that from the outset we submit a pre- We are acutely aware that there third issue concern itself with? As the emptive rejoinder that, in producing is no objective judgement of heritage reader will discover, this issue reflects and sourcing the various articles interpretation, only judgement a shift from marketing and publicity featured in this issue, no attempt based on ethical positions; which are towards public engagement and was made to be politically or socio- not homogenous. Anything to the critical dialogue. It is more interpretive culturally correct. Instead, every contrary would reflect essentialism and outward looking rather than effort was made to remain true to and supposed purity of that which descriptive and inward-looking. In this heritage and history as processes, not we regard as heritage - an outlook issue we have sought to deliver the products. Naturally, the somewhat which would belie the very meaning subjects of heritage and history not as opinionated nature of some of the of heritage and history. In the words calcified, absolute and sterile, but as articles will provoke and even invite of Ian Russel, “maintenance of discursive, mutative and potent. While express contestation. If this issue heritage as a choice, points towards this is not a peer-reviewed scientific of Umlando gets people talking, we beliefs in an image of time which has journal, its content and tone is that would have achieved our objective. passed, that enriches and inspires a »

4 UMLANDO • December 2012 from the Editor’s Desk

time which has yet to pass…therein a This issue coincides with a historic At a national level however, the value can be ascribed to the heritage and eventful year for our City and African National Congress Centenary relationship which is…best expressed country. Among the events that Local took centre stage. It is for this reason as a constellation of negotiated and History Museums hosted in our City that we have elected to use the ANC mediated sentiments – hopes, dreams, this year were the opening of three Centenary as a central theme and a desires and beliefs”. Lord Acton’s African National Congress Centenary fulcrum for this issue of Umlando. contention that “ultimate history we exhibitions, International Museum Consequently, we take a somewhat cannot have in this generation; but we critical look at special calendar days or can dispose of conventional history days of commemoration within the and show the point we have rubric of the ANC Centenary. reached on the road from one We assess the extent to which to the other”, only serves the principles and values to reinforce Russel’s of historical figures and point. the spirit that ignited Considering that and propelled the heritage includes historic moments that everything that people are commemorated want to save for resonate with the posterity - which could present challenges we both divide and unite us, face as a nation. We see - our constant endeavour this as an opportunity is therefore to look for, and for us to interact with and present, answers to the question process the insight that the as to how various forms of heritage ANC Centenary celebrations have are best interpreted and presented, brought to our consciousness. We and to whom. We acknowledge that therefore have the ANC Centenary dealing with heritage is like at the back of our minds as treading on a proverbial We have elected to use the ANC we consider what would minefield; always running Centenary as a central theme otherwise be familiar events the risk to engender on our national calendar unintended and undesired and a fulcrum for this issue of since 1994 as well as reaction. Issues of heritage Umlando historical personalities that have the potential to come have been a feature of this across and be dismissed as country’s socio-political nationalistic, exclusivist, elitist, sexist Day and Africa Day celebrations. On narrative for some time. and traditionalist. We must be honest the continental and international stages, Our exhibitions on the two enough to acknowledge that it is the election of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini former presidents of the ANC, Josiah people and what motivates them that Zuma as the first woman Chair of the Tshangana Gumede and Pixley ka Isaka defines heritage; therefore anything African Union was a significant milestone Seme and the first president of the could become heritage, depending on for Africa and a triumph of gender ANC Youth League, Anton Muziwakhe who has influence and power. equality and women empowerment. Lembede, were our main Centenary »

Local History Museums - Durban 5 from the Editor’s Desk

activities. On various platforms, at We see this as an opportunity for us to various levels of government and in various communities and institutions interact with and process the insight the story was told of the African that the ANC Centenary Celebrations National Congress and its legendary have brought to our consiousness. leadership of various eras. Audiences were regaled with fascinating historical anecdotes in President Jacob Zuma’s With 100 years of ANC-led struggle in our memorial lectures dedicated to eleven minds, we reflect on the meaning of such days presidents that have led the ANC before him. as Human Rights Day, Heritage Day, Youth Similarly, other leaders of the ANC also took Day, Reconciliation Day, Freedom Day and to podiums to deliver speeches and lectures Workers’ Day; which are national holidays in in honour of the past presidents and to mark our country. It is against the backdrop of these the 100 year anniversary. From its formation special days that we consider the national and early role in fighting for majority rights status quo on issues such as understanding from 1912 to the 1930s, its transformation the meaning of freedom; appreciation of and and growth from 1939 to the 1950s, its mass respect for human rights; women’s rights and mobilisation and protest action from the 1950s gender equality; the place and role of the to 1960, its banishment, exile and revival youth in our society; and the prickly matters of from the 1960s to the 1990s and the many identity, nationhood, reconciliation and social distinguished leaders that carried it through cohesion. We also whet the reader’s appetite these phases – the story of the ANC has with reviews of a few books. We lastly pay been told. What this issue does is to present tribute to members of staff who are poised to familiar events and narratives in a manner leave us and welcome those who have newly that focuses on some critical questions and joined us. pertinent lessons with the intention to elicit I trust you will be challenged, inspired and BERGTHEILactive engagement with content. entertained MUSEUM by the contents of this issue. In this issue reportage on the 2012 events Bon Lecture! Happy Reading! and commemorations is interspersed with opinions16 Queens for example, Avenue Devi Rajab’s. Westville article. Driving from Durban towards Westville on the M13 The events section interweaves reports on (Jan Smuts highway) take the Queens Road off ramp, the exhibition opening functions and other turning left into Queens Road travel up the road toevents number with 16. interpretive The Bergtheil remarks Local including History Museum isexcerpts on the fromright speechessurrounded delivered by fencing at these with private residencesfunctions and on events. all sides. We also carry a piece on Bheki Mchunu * one of the Unit’s signature events, the Living Legends Awards, albeit with a slant towards those awardees whose life stories resonate with the main theme.

*Bheki Mchunu is the Director of Local History Museums

6 UMLANDO • December 2012 EVENTS: josiah tshangana gumede exhibition opening

I have discovered there is no Zulu, Xhosa, Mosotho or Coloured, but all are and must be known as Africans.

JT Gumede, 3 June 1923 birth of the nationalists-communists alliance BONGINKOSI ROCK ZUMA

he Josiah Tshangana Gumede JT Gumede to the audience. In his alliance was to become the rubric under (JT Gumede) Exhibition titled words: which various phases of the liberation The Birth of the Nationalists- “ Josiah Tshangana Gumede is struggle played out. It was this alliance Communists Alliance, was believed to be the least known of the which ultimately brought Apartheid Tofficially opened on 19 April 2012, presidents of the ANC. The obscurity to its knees many years later. It is to align with the national Centenary associated with JT Gumede belies the therefore befitting that as we celebrate programme which had designated impact and influence he had on the 100 years of the founding of the ANC, April as Gumede month. Senior trajectory of the struggle for liberation acknowledging as we must the month political leadership of eThekwini in South Africa. It was the historic visit of April as JT Gumede month, that the Municipality and KwaZulu-Natal to the Soviet Union in 1927 by an ANC exhibition we are opening today, has province gracing the opening of delegation led by JT which constituted as its theme that mutually reinforcing the exhibition included the Mayor the first official contact between the ANC relationship between the nationalists Councillor James Nxumalo, the MEC and Soviet Union. It was also this visit and communists. JT does not only for Health Dr. Sibongiseni Dlomo and that planted the potent seed that was to belong to the generation of the founding the Speaker Councillor Logie Nadoo. germinate, years later, into a formidable fathers of the ANC, but he could be said Head of Parks Recreation and Culture alliance between the ANC and the to be the founder of the ANC-SACP Un, Thembinkosi Ngcobo, introduced Communist Party of South Africa. This alliance. »

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 7 EVENTS: josiah tshangana gumede exhibition opening

JT was not only a political activist but, as a unionist and a community leader, he was also an economic and community development activist and as a chorister, he was a cultural activist. As a chorister and a teacher he exhibited commitment to both intellectual and cultural development. It is for this reason that Local History Museums sees the JT Gumede exhibition not only as a depiction of history but also as a tool Mosotho or Coloured, but all are and Gumede’s insights on unity of purpose to inform and educate. The exhibition must be known as Africans”. among race groups undoubtedly is a representation of our past and our JT was not constrained by borders strengthened the liberation struggle. heritage and has potential both to educate that divide nations, or oceans that Africans were able to produce a and inspire. It is a useful catalyst for divide continents, in his quest for united front with a bigger voice, research, discourse, debate and other freedom. Inspired by and drawing eventually attracting the attention forms of refl ective engagement. lessons from the Russian Revolution of the international community and JT did not only see both the he declared: “I have seen the new world mustering such measures of support potential and need for cooperation to come, where it has already begun. I from leading economies that the between seemingly diametrically have been to the New Jerusalem. I have Apartheid government was brought opposed ideological strands, he also brought the key which would unlock the down. What a shining example of disavowed divisive tendencies such door to freedom.” ‘standing together’ this man’s vision as ethnic chauvinism and essentialist This exhibition must be a reminder holds for factionalism and cultural nationalism. Today, as we grapple with to us that there is only one race, the divisions in our country - to put many identities that threaten to divide human race. It must also cause us to aside differences and take hands in us, as we exorcise the demons of ethnicity, believe in our natural predisposition the common fi ght against poverty, racism and xenophobia, we would do to make history despite seemingly inequality and unemployment. u well to heed JT’s words when he said: insurmountable adversity. “After being a man of the world, I have ” discovered there is no Zulu, Xhosa,

Page 7: A painting of JT Gumede by Lungelo Gumede commissioned for the exhibition. Top photo: Visitors viewing the JT Gumede exhibition Left photo: Artefacts from the exhibition, SACP T-shirt, 70th SACP Anniversary poster dated 1921 - 1991 and a poster Chris Hani, the late Secretary General of the SACP

The Josiah Tshangana Gumede Exhibition is housed at: KwaMuhle Museum, 130 Bram Fischer Road, Durban

8 UMLANDO • December 2012 EVENTS: pixley ka isaka seme exhibition opening

“The African is not a proletarian in the world of science and art. He has precious creations of his own, of ivory; of copper and of gold, fine; plaited willow- ware, and weapons of superior

PHOTO: VELANI NGCOBO workmanship…” genesis of the african renaissance KHANYA NDLOVU

n 25 May 2012, with Seme’s strong pan-Africanist which later changed its name to the the Pixley ka Isaka leanings. Speaking on behalf of African Union (AU), was formed. In less Seme Exhibition was eThekwini Mayor, Councilor James than two months we will be celebrating » officially opened by the Nxumalo, was Councillor Zandile OPremier of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Zweli Gumede who addressed the guests Public comments: Mkhize. Among other senior leaders thus : present were the MEC for Arts The exhibition we are poised to • A visionary and realistic, “ outstanding member of the and Culture Ntombikayise Sibhidla open today is titled: The Genesis of the ANC. His inspiration should be Saphetha and the Chairperson of the African Renaissance, and we could not motivation without self-interest to our people all over the world. eThekwini Health Safety and Social have chosen a better day to celebrate, Services Committee, Councillor remember and honour this distinguished • You are our heroes, we as the youth of today should embrace the Zandile Gumede. The opening of the son of Africa. This day is incredibly apt opportunities we have now. We exhibition, titled The Genesis of African for an occasion such as this because it must take initiative to taking South Africa to greater heights, we are a Renaissance, was timed to coincide was exactly forty nine years ago that the free generation, we are reaping the with Africa Day celebrations, in line Organisation of African Unity (OAU), fruit of democracy.

Local History Museums - Durban 9 Page 9: A painting of Pixley ka Isaka Seme by ten years since the summit to constitute Congress (ANC), from 1930 to 1936, Sakhile Mhlongo commissioned for the exhibition. the AU was held here in our City. We is being celebrated in May this year as

Top photo: Kwa-Zulu Natal Premier, Dr Zweli also could not have chosen a more apt part of the ANC centenary celebrations Mkhize (centre), at the official opening of the Pixley title for this exhibition, given that the programme. The fact that Seme only ka Isaka Seme exhibition held at the Old Court man we remember and celebrate today became ANC president in 1930 House Museum on 25 May 2012 with (from left to right) MEC for Arts and Culture, Ntombikayise was undoubtedly an ardent believer belies his role as one of the founding Sibidla-Saphetha; member of the Lembede family, in the unity and renewal of Africa fathers of this glorious organisation. Sibongile Lembede; Councillor Zandile Gumede and and an unparalleled proponent of Seme was not just a politician but an » Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Thembinkosi Ngcobo Pan-Africanism. A pertinent and arguably rhetorical question is often Public comments: Page 11: Exhibited artefacts: Left - Pixley ka Isaka posed: “What has Africa given to the Seme’s top hat, Right - Seme’s academic gown • Inspiring – reminds us of our rich world?” It is important that, as we legacy! Also, our responsibility to celebrate Africa Day, we must take build a great Rainbow Nation. stock of the many successes that Africa • Oh how we are lacking to realise has achieved and what this continent the ideals of this great leader. Wake up Africa and unite to has contributed to the world. Pixley ka achievement and success. Isaka Seme is one shining example of • The ANC is not for individuals but what Africa has given to the world. it belongs to the people of Africa. Pixley ka Isaka Seme, the fifth Education and commitment is key for us. Seme is a perfect example president of the African National of what we ought to be.

10 UMLANDO • December 2012 EVENTS: pixley ka isaka seme exhibition opening

Public comments :

As a distinguished • The future is nothing without son of Inanda, the history, therefore we need more of such exhibitions to extract eThekwini Municipality, leadership and discipline lessons through the Local History of our forefathers. We need to document our own history for Museums section of the the sake of our children and Department of Libraries generations to come

and Heritage within • He was true African – who Parks, Recreation and displayed that Africans are PHOTO: VELANI NGCOBO capable of solving problems facing Culture Unit, celebrates them together but within a strong Pixley ka Isaka Seme, and wise leadership. Some may think he failed - but I think he intellectual, a writer and an orator of first and foremost, as our own local laid a strong foundation for us international standing. He was only hero. He is a son of our City and we (Africans) to proceed. 17 when he left South Africa to study are proud and honoured to have shared in the United States of America, first him with the world. It is heroes such as Pixley ka at the Mount Hermon School and On this day in which we celebrate Isaka Seme that should serve to then Columbia University. In 1906 he unity among Africans, we must be constantly remind us of our potential delivered the renowned oration, The inspired, affirmed and guided by the as Africans and inform our efforts as Regeneration of Africa, which opens words of this great son of Africa who we grapple with the many challenges of with a declaration, “I am an African”. declared that “The African is not a reconstruction and development of our The speech won him the University’s proletarian in the world of science and cities, our countries and our continent highest oratorical honour, the George art. He has precious creations of his -economically, culturally, intellectually William Curtis medal, no mean feat own, of ivory; of copper and of gold, and politically. for a young man of 25 from Inanda fine; plaited willow-ware, and weapons ” Mission, South Africa. of superior workmanship…” Pixley ka Isaka Seme is one of the shining stars of South Africa whom we as citizens of the province of KwaZulu - Natal and eThekwini Municipality are privileged to claim as ours. He is another example of enormous

industriousness worth emulating. u

The Pixely ka Isaka Seme Exhibition is housed at: Old Court House Museum, 77 Samora Machel Street, Durban

Local History Museums - Durban 11 he Anton Muziwakhe Lembede Exhibition titled youth leadership: Youth Leadership: Then and Now, was officially opened by TSpeaker Councillor Logie Naidoo on then and now 19 July 2012. The exhibition presents KHANYA NDLOVU Lembede as someone ahead of his time and highlights the role that the youth can play as “agents of change” by In his selfless struggle for the national cause casting Lembede as a personification of a young person who rises above he has built himself a monument in the seemingly insurmountable odds to hearts of his people. great heights. It highlights Lembede’s talents and skills as a community activist, a scholar, a philosopher and given the opportunity, the African could a visionary. The greatness of this climb the academic ladder and even Public comments: historical figure is aptly contextualised surpass some of the members of the so- • Youth leadership back then did called superior race”. in the public address by Councillor more action and less talk and were Logie Naidoo on the occasion of the Born of peasant parents on a farm respecting their leaders who were opening of this exhibition: and later growing up and going to school fighting so hard for the liberation of Referred to by JB Marks as “an in the rural hinterland of Mbumbulu, this country. “ • Things have changed, we need to intellectual giant”, “an omnivorous he was able to rise and become the go with the new standard of life we distinguished leader we celebrate today. reader” and “an uncompromising live today, but leaders now they use fighter”, Lembede is an epitome Jordan Ngubane, who was one of his their position to do whatever they of triumph against seemingly classmates at Adams Collage and fellow want rather [than] helping the insurmountable odds. Again in the founder member of the African National people that need services in their community. words of JB Marks, “he was one of the Congress Youth League, once described few who proved to the world that, when Lembede as the “living symbol of African »

12 UMLANDO • December 2012 EVENTS: anton lembede exhibition opening PHOTO: VELANI NGCOBO

misery” because of the abject poverty that was apparent in the condition of his clothes - patched pants and worn-out jacket. Abject poverty notwithstanding, Lembede rose to become a renowned community activist, a brilliant teacher, an erudite philosopher, a distinguish Public comments : scholar, a fierce lawyer, an incredible • One day I’ll be a great and linguist, an outstanding politician and exemplary leader like you Mr committed Africanist. Lembede! It is indeed an incredible feat that • Long live the warriors of Africa. today Anton Lembede is known, first Truly Mr Lembede was and is the and foremost, as the first president of right image of the youth of South Africa. – my role model! the African National Congress Youth • The ANC of the past struggled League, despite having spent only four and sacrificed their lives for peace, years in active politics. Achieving such freedom and equality…how is it a feat in such a short space of time is newspapers, and socialising…” that we, the youth of today, pretend as though those things didn’t testimony to the exceptionally studious The fruit of his ascetic lifestyle is happen! I as a black South African individual that Lembede was. His belief evident in that, despite having untimely want to be the Steve Biko, Nelson and commitment to hard work is best departed from this earth at a tender Mandela and Oliver Tambo of captured in an observation by his one- age of 33, he had already obtained a tomorrow. time roommate B.M. Khaketla: Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master “…Lembede would wake up at five of Arts degree in philosophy and was and read until six, when he prepared for busy with his Doctorate at the time of his Page 12: Anton Lembede Exhibition title panel school. He taught from eight until one. passing. Furthermore, as a teacher, he After lunch, at two, he came directly Top left: Exhibited artifacts: The posthumous had risen to the position of principal; as award of the Order of Luthuli in Gold home and studied until seven o’clock, a lawyer, he was running a reputable when he broke for his evening meal. legal practice and as a politician, he Top right: Parts of the Lembede exhibition After dinner, he studied until eleven. Below top right: Lembede’s academic cap and was the first president of the African Lembede’s Master of Philosophy Dissertation He followed this timetable religiously National Congress Youth League. It titled “The Concept of God as Expounded by on weekdays. On Saturdays, he read must be noted that it was the advent or as it Emerges from the Writings of Great Philosophers from Descartes to the Present Day” from five in the morning until lunch. of the Youth League - led by Lembede, After lunch he read until he went to bed. Jordan Ngubane, Ashby Peter Mda, Sundays he set aside for church, reading Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and »

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 13 EVENTS: anton lembede exhibition opening

Oliver Tambo that served to reconfi gure the ANC into a vigorous mass movement. It was individuals from this cohort of youth leadership who were to ultimately lead South Africa into a democratic dispensation realised in 1994…The words of Govan Mbeki on the passing of Lembede in 1947 must ring loudest to the youth of today: “…His death is a grievous national loss in which the African public has lost one of its most zealous and determined sons who dedicated his short span of life to the cause of his people. In his selfl ess struggle for the national cause he has built himself a monument in the hearts of his people. His name will live eternally in the history of his people. His memory will forever be a source of strength to all youth to devote themselves as he has exemplifi ed to the most sacred and most sublime of all causes, the liberation of their people”…” It would be instructive to fi nd out what the youth of today think of their own potential, efforts and commitment to excel in spite of the challenges; the extent of the knowledge they have on young leaders of the past and the lessons they are prepared to glean from the

lives of these leaders. u

The Anton Lembede Exhibition is housed at the: Old Court House Museum, 77 Samora Machel Street, Durban

Left: Lembede and some of his successors in the position of ANCYL President

14 UMLANDO • December 2012 EVENTS: human rights day seminar

MAYPHER MNGOMEZULU

A blind quest for revenge, a symptom of lack of human rights understanding or an indictment on law enforcement and justice system. Dr Mary de Haas, lawyer Linda Zama, religious leader Kwenzakufani Zondi,

o mark Human Rights Day, and supreme sacrifice made by many and Victoria Mekute, a law enforcement which is commemorated others for us to enjoy the civil liberties agent. The discussants together with on 21 March, LHM hosted we have today. Discussants and audience the audience interrogated and shared a seminar to reflect on the contemplated the state of human rights views on pertinent questions such as Textent of human rights understanding in South Africa today. The intention reasons that people normally give for and observance among South Africans was to reflectively acknowledge the taking law into their hands and how today, juxtaposing it with the human sacrifices made not only by the sixty nine valid are these reasons from human rights violations of the Apartheid era. odd people who fell under Apartheid rights, law enforcement and justice The seminar took place under the title bullets in Sharpeville, but also those perspectives. People were encouraged Mob Justice/Injustice – A blind quest for who came before and after Sharpeville. to confront real and practical questions revenge, a symptom of lack of human The thrust of the seminar was on our such as ‘what would you do if you were rights understanding or an indictment grasp and appreciation of human rights. observing mob justice being meted out on law enforcement and justice system. Among other things the audience was to a person and you knew the person was Held on 22 March 2012 at the Natural challenged to reflect on the parallels that innocent?’ ‘Would it make a difference if Science Museum Research Centre, can be drawn between the methods of the person was guilty’? These questions it was staged in honour of Griffiths the Apartheid regime and some of the and others prompted people to ponder and Victoria Mxenge, two United acts of violence and disregard for human their possible complicity in many Democratic Front activists who were rights that some among us condone human rights violations that happen in assassinated by agents of the Apartheid and even participate in today. A panel our society and they shared ideas on regime on 19 November 1981 and of discussants presented views on the ways and means of ensuring that people 1 August 1985 respectively. These subject of mob justice and the audience understand the indivisibility of human two freedom fighters were used as a engaged from personal perspectives. rights and responsibility that come with backdrop for the seminar, since they The panel included psychologist and human rights. u epitomise the struggle for human rights columnist Dr Devi Rajab, sociologist

Local History Museums - Durban 15 EVENTS: international museum day museums in a changing world, new challenges, and new inspirations

REBECCA NAIDOO, ANTHEE RAMLUCKEN, NANDI HLATSHWAYO, KHANYISILE MFAYELA, ZAMATHEMBU MTHEMBU and LIHLE NDLOVU.

n 18 May 2012 the Local Museums - through their collections and History Museums, in collaboration with the the stories, information and knowledge that Durban Art Gallery, these collections are an embodiment of – serve Othe Natural Science Museum and as effective resources for cultural exchange the Provincial Department of Arts and Culture, participated in activities and enrichment, development of mutual to celebrate International Museum understanding, cooperation and peace Day. The theme of 2012 International among peoples. Museum Day was Museums in a Changing World, New Challenges, and New Inspirations. The day was Since 1977, International Museum Day This year’s celebration provided an celebrated under a subtheme, Common is celebrated worldwide on 18 May to opportunity for museum practitioners Human Identity, through exhibitions and raise public awareness of the important to take our museums to the eThekwini interactive educational activities. role museums play in our society. public through an outdoor exhibition. »

16 UMLANDO • December 2012 EVENTS: international museum day

The subtheme, Common Human Identity, was interpreted in a myriad of ways and inspired numerous activities. It highlighted and emphasised the notion that, as human beings, we share common ancestry, thus debunking many prejudices that some people or sections of our society may have that are informed by differences in anatomy, skin pigmentation, place of origin and so forth. Present on the day were the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts and

Culture, Ntombikayise Sibhidla society – challenges which are concomitant can achieve as a catalyst for public Saphetha; eThekwini Council Speaker, with today’s ever-changing and dynamic engagement, meaningful interaction, Councillor Logie Naidoo, senior officials world. learning and social cohesion. This public from Province and the Municipality For South Africa as a nation, the 2012 display, and the public engagement it and other dignitaries. The audience International Museum Day is particularly seeks to trigger and encourage, signifies an was made up of school children and important because it coincides with the important shift that has begun to happen the general public. Council Speaker President’s declaration of 2012 as the and should continue to unfold. This is Councillor Logie Naidoo, in his welcome year of heritage. It is therefore imperative a shift from museums as mere repositories address, had this to say: that we must redouble our efforts to of objects and specimens to museums “ Museums - through their collections raise awareness around museums and as institutions that are inclusive and and the stories, information and knowledge to highlight the role museums play as a accessible - with their collections at the that these collections are an embodiment of resource for education and nation building heart of the interface with the public for – serve as effective resources for cultural and also reassert the role of heritage as an learning, social justice, social change and exchange and enrichment, development of economic driver. Furthermore, the 2012 social cohesion.” u mutual understanding, cooperation and International Museum Day follows hot peace among peoples. on the heels of the Tourism Indaba which The International Museum Day, Page 16: From left to right - the Head of Parks our city hosted recently. The mutually Recreation and Culture, Thembinkosi Ngcobo which we are gathered here to celebrate, reinforcing relationship between tourism and MEC for Arts and Culture, Ntombikayise occupies and should continue to occupy and heritage can never be overemphasised. Sibhidla-Saphetha with the Old Court House pole position on the international calendar Museum curator, Khanya Ndlovu, viewing the Our Municipality has unequivocally LHM exhibition of special cultural events. The 2012 theme recognised heritage as the bedrock of for this day, which is Museums in a tourism and the fact that it is through This page: MEC for Arts and Culture inscribing her Changing World, New Challenges, New message on the JT Gumede Exhibition message efficient management of this intricate board during her International Museum Day Inspirations has tremendous relevance and relationship between heritage and tourism walkabout. is very apt in that it challenges museums that we can effectively leverage heritage as and heritage practitioners to think more a catalyst for economic development and carefully about the meaningful role that city regeneration. the museums can play in dealing with the The exhibitions we see here today are many social challenges that confront our a wonderful portrayal of what museums

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 17 EVENTS: africa day

n 25 May 2012 the Local History Museum, in collaboration with the Durban Art Gallery, Othe Natural Science Museum and the Provincial Department of Arts and Culture, participated in Africa Day celebrations. Both provincial and Municipal leadership attended the various activities of the day, which BHEKI MCHUNU included a street parade, multicultural dances and music performances and Africa Day is a stark reminder of the food tasting. Among the dignitaries were the KwaZulu-Natal Premier centrality of unity of purpose in the pursuit Dr Zweli Mkhize, the KwaZulu- of our goals as Africans and as the human Natal MEC for Arts and Culture race. Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha and the Chairperson of the Health, Safety and Social Services Committee of This year’s celebrations started Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize. the City, Cllr Zandile Gumede. What off with the official opening of the It can be argued that Africa Day is known today as Africa Day, began Pixley ka Isaka Seme exhibition which derives its significance from the as Freedom Day, celebrated to mark was followed by a street parade from message of unity it carries. This day the first Conference of Independent the City Hall to Albert Park led by should serve to remind us of the African States held on 15 April 1958 political and administrative leaders artificial and superficial nature of in Ghana. The objective of African of both the City and KwaZulu Natal the boundaries that separate us as leaders at the conference was to province which included the Premier Africans. It must awaken us to the galvanise African states and their of the Province, Dr Zweli Mkhize; poignancy of the rape that occurred in people around the ideal of freedom the MEC for Arts and Culture, those fateful days between 1884 and from colonial rule through collective Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha; the 1885 in Berlin during the scramble for will and effort. So, as early as 1958, Acting Head of the Department of Arts Africa and we must be wise never to five years before the OAU was and Cuture, Sibongile Nzimande and endorse the differences and divisions founded, unity was already recognised the chairperson of the City’s Health that were foisted upon us. We must as the quintessential precondition Safety and Social Services Committee, allow ourselves to be persuaded by for freedom and self-determination. Cllr Zandile Gumede. The parade the message of unity which Africa Day Africa Day is a stark reminder of the carried a symbolic message of unity symbolizes. Africa challenges us as centrality of unity of purpose in the as people of different race groups citizens of eThekwini, of the province pursuit of our goals as Africans and and nationalities marched up Anton of KwaZulu-Natal and of South Africa, as the human race. This ideal of unity Lembede Street and various groups to renew our commitment to the kind among Africans was carried through sang and played a variety of musical of unity and solidarity that carried our from African Freedom Day to African instruments in celebration. At Albert forebears to victory over colonisation Liberation Day, with the founding of Park participants enjoyed multicultural and Apartheid, and which will propel the Organisation of African Unity on cuisine tasting which was followed by us into building one united nation, 25 May 1963. a formal function addressed by the across race, ethnicity and creed. u

18 UMLANDO • December 2012 heritage month

he initiative of the Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, Thembinkosi Ngcobo, to Thave a range of activities to mark Heritage month celebrations, has become a signature event on the eThekwini calendar, serving to raise awareness among communities regarding facilities and programmes the unit offers. As custodians of Durban’s heritage, the Unit takes centre stage in the city during this month, putting on displays, exhibitions and workshops to celebrate the diverse heritage found within the city boundaries. The agenda also includes the building of bridges between the various cultures to promote social cohesion and to work towards realisation of the City’s vision. September 2012 was no different in that we had a varied schedule of events and activities to engage with eThekwini citizens, young and older, and celebrate our unity in diversity. The Cultural Diversity Workshop engaged youngsters, introducing them to the greeting, culinary and religious customs in various cultures. The Bridge City Exhibition told the story of Zulu beadwork, its origins and its cultural uses. The Living Legends Awards at the ICC bestowed honour upon people who have selfl essly dedicated their lives to making a difference in society. The Maritime Museum set up a Photographic Exhibition portraying the history of Durban Harbour spanning a hundred and seventy years. cultural diversity workshop HLENGIWE TENZA

urban is widely regarded It was a golden opportunity to teach the as one of the most multi- cultural cities in the children inter-cultural tolerance and world. Our city is home appreciation for each other’s culture. Dto people from Europe, East Africa, the Middle East, Far East and many other parts of the globe. Interestingly communities. This means that, although liveable city deeply. These incidents of the largest number of Indians we acknowledge the differences we violence were a stark wake-up call that outside India resides in Durban. may have as individuals or groups, we probably not enough has been done to The eThekwini Municipality’s vision must embrace them amicably and strive enlighten and educate our people that for 2020 aspires to make Durban towards making our city a liveable one. we should live in harmony, despite the the most liveable city, and resonates The ideal of unity in diversity carries diversity in cultures. Go to any sporting with the diversity of cultures in the message that even though we are event such as rugby, soccer, cricket etc. this cosmopolitan environment. diverse in culture, we can still be united and you would immediately tell that This vision should serve as a as eThekwini residents. most people still have not made that guide for eThekwini citizens to The xenophobia that swept through shift in mindset. Our African brothers recognise their role in encouraging the country in 2008 did not leave our and sisters from countries like Nigeria, social cohesion in their respective city untouched, marring the image of a Democratic Republic of Congo and »

Local History Museums - Durban 19 EVENTS: cultural diversity workshop

Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Thembinkosi Ngcobo with, from left to right, Hlengiwe Tenza - Education Officer, Lihle Ndlovu - Intern, Zama Mthembu - Intern, Khanyi Mfayela - Intern, Khanya Ndlovu - Curator and Maypher Mngomezulu - Education Officer at the Cultural Diversity Workshop held at Addington Primary School

Ghana still prefer to reside in the city Addington area and attend the local despite the rich history our city has, centre and you hardly find them in school. This workshop was a golden and the many prominent personalities townships such as Umlazi or Ndengezi. opportunity to teach the children inter- whom we are proud to be associated Interestingly, it is the Chinese who cultural tolerance. Activities facilitated with as a city, we have much to learn have made these townships their by museum staff included the greeting before we are completely appreciative preferred places of residence. While customs, culinary habits, and religious of one another, regardless of race, the latter is encouraging, it must be festivals of different cultures. Children culture, religion or creed. u noted that the evidence points to the from the various groups were given an fact that Durban residents still have opportunity to share with their peers a long way to go to throw off the what they have gained from the day. Below: Children from different cultural shackles of racial and ethnic bias. The event ended on a noisy but happy backgrounds at the Cultural Diversity Workshop To promote this concept among note with dance performances from communities during Heritage diverse cultures. month, and in keeping with the The concept One City, Many Centenary theme Unity in Diversity, Cultures is not a panacea to all the LHM organised a Cultural Diversity challenges, which are a threat to the Workshop at Addington Primary realisation of 2020 vision. Instead, the School on 27 September. Children One City, Many Cultures ideal seeks to from many different cultures live in the awaken all of us to the harsh reality that

20 UMLANDO • December 2012 Left: Jenny Catin from Old Court House Museum at the LHM exhibition stand at Bridge City Mall in KwaMashu bridge city exhibition

KHANYA NDLOVU

s part of cultural education the east coast of Africa and India. To southern Africa at that time, beads awareness, LHM put this day, red cornelian beads of Indian became precious in their own right together an exhibition on origin are washed up along the shores and were soon linked to whatever the history of beads among of the Transkei region from ancient was valued in the culture. What makes Athe Zulu people on 21 September Arab vessels that fell victim to storms Zulu beadwork unique is the code by 2012 at the Bridge City Centre in and sank. Camel caravans from North which particular colours are selected KwaMashu. Africa also crossed the Saharan desert and combined in various ways to The exhibition looked at the to trade with the African kingdoms create messages that are woven origins of beads from the Middle south of the Sahara. The Zulu into decorative geometrical designs East and Europe, via Arab traders tradition of fine glass beadwork is thus and shapes. Both the colours and into South-east Africa and eventually not a recent by-product of European the shapes have particular meanings into Zululand. Glass beads from colonisation, as is commonly supposed, assigned to them. Zulu beadwork is Egypt, as well as other countries with but part of a rich and ancient melting designed and manufactured exclusively access to the Indian Ocean and the pot of African cultures. by women, but is worn by both sexes. u Mediterranean, were transported The exhibition looked at how by Phoenician ships to the ancient beadwork is used in courtship, kingdoms of North, West and Central marriage, divination and religious Africa. The Arabs later succeeded customs of the Zulu people. Because the Phoenicians, supplying beads to the technology was unknown in

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 2121 EVENTS: ethekwini living legends ethekwini living legends awards

MOHAU QALAZA

s part of the Heritage Month Celebrating the heroes and heroines of the celebrations, the 5th annual eThekwini Living Legends liberation struggle in South Africa Awards ceremony took place Aon 8 September 2012 at the Durban Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe International Convention Centre. and Zambia. Later on she worked in Awardees honoured for their contribution the ANC’s Department of Information to the eThekwini community and the and Publicity and the Women’s section. South African nation at large, included Cecil Following the unbanning of the ANC, she Ward, Prof. Himansu Baijnath, Caroline became Secretary General of the ANC Smart, Michael Sibisi, Theo Bophela, Women’s League from 1991 to 1993. Lauretta Ngcobo, Reginald Myeza, Bishop Mbete served as Deputy Speaker of the Rubin Phillip, Thula Bopela, Judge Navie National Assembly in the first democratic Pillay and Baleka Mbete. In keeping with Parliament in 1996 and became Speaker in this issue’s central theme, we introduce 2004, and from September 2008 to May here the awardees recognised for their 2009 she served as Deputy President of contributions and sacrifices during the South Africa. She is current Chairperson liberation struggle. of the African National Congress. Baleka THULA BOPELA PHOTOGRAPH: VAL ADAMSON PHOTOGRAPH: VAL As a result of her involvement in Black Mbete continues to use her political Consciousness-affiliated organisations, influence to pave the way for the the Luthuli Detachment, which crossed Baleka Mbete was forced into exile in emancipation of women. She represents the Zambezi river into then Rhodesia Swaziland, and subsequently taught in a rare breed of women in our society and fought alongside the Zimbabwe who, despite difficult circumstances, have People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra), persevered in their commitment to address he was captured and was tried and social issues that hamper community sentenced to death in the Salisbury High development. Her achievements within Court. His sentence was commuted to the government are indeed a victory for life imprisonment and after thirteen years the women of South Africa who have long in prison he was freed by Mugabe in suffered under oppression of past regimes, 1980. With Daluxolo Luthuli he published poverty and patriarchy. Umkhonto we Sizwe: “Fighting for a Divided Thula Bopela sacrificed his boyhood People”, the first memoir written by men dream of becoming a lawyer and joined who fought as guerillas with liberation the liberation struggle in the ranks forces in Southern Africa. In his acceptance of Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1963. As speech, he committed himself to continue » BALEKA MBETE

PHOTOGRAPH: VAL ADAMSON PHOTOGRAPH: VAL member of an MK guerilla contingent,

22 UMLANDO • December 2012 PHOTOGRAPHS: VAL ADAMSON PHOTOGRAPHS: VAL REGINALD MYEZA BISHOP RUBIN PHILLIP LAURETTA NGCOBO to inspire discussions in the ruling party’s and the curriculum. He lectured at the a novelist and an inspirational speaker structures, especially among young University of Durban-Westville and the during the 1956 Anti-Pass march - was comrades whom he felt needed proper Ndebele College of Education until forced into exile in Swaziland in 1963. guidance and strong leadership. He is his retirement in 1998. Myeza is one She moved from Swaziland to Zambia one of the slowly disappearing caliber of of the iconic figures in the struggle for and finally settled in England where she learned and disciplined freedom fighters education for emancipation. His tenacity, taught for 25 years. Her most famous who continues to use his knowledge dedication and perseverance to achieve book, And They Didn’t Die, has been and experience to encourage dialogue his goals despite hardships, should serve described as the most enlightened and and debate on current political affairs in as a yardstick for current and future balanced book about the history and order to address the wrongs of the past teachers. personal anguish of the African woman. and forge a better future for all. Bishop Phillip was a member of the Ngcobo returned to South Africa in 1994 Reginald Myeza, like Baleka Mbete, Black Consciousness Movement and and has since recieved many accolades was pre-maturely forced to abandon his became Deputy President to Steve Biko in among them is the Literary Lifetimw teaching career in South Africa due to his the South African Students Organisation. Achievement Award and the Order of involvement in politics. For many years He was instrumental in the struggle Ikhamanga. Ngcobo is known for having he taught in Lesotho and Swaziland. against Apartheid and later championed drawn attention to the plight of women His insatiable quest for knowledge the cause of Abahlali baseMjondolo, in Africa giving voice and visibilty to their and love of teaching, prompted him to the shack dwellers movement of struggles for many generations to come. pursue further academic qualifications Kennedy Road. He is recognised for It is befitting to regard the 2012 Living in England. After graduating from Hull his involvement in the anti-Apartheid Legends awardees as the epitome of the University with a Master of Education movement and his on-going work to credo that “ if my mind can conceive it, degree in 1979, he returned to South offer solidarity to displaced people, and my heart can believe it - then I can Africa, where he took up a teaching post victims of persecutions and detainees. achieve it” (Muhammed Ali, The soul of in Natal. Later on he became Manager He continues being involved in peace- Butterfly: Reflections on Life’s Journey). of Educational Development in the making, reconciliation and mediation These leaders, some of whom come Transvaal. From 1981 to 1988 he had initiatives throughout the province. from humble backgrounds, operated the position of headmaster of Sibusisiwe Bishop Phillip and many advocates of and pursued their chosen careers under Comprehensive Technical High School the voiceless and impoverished, are the extremely trying circumstances. They in Umbumbulu, during which time he moral compass of the government and are undoubtedly a shining example of implemented substantial improvements, courageously keep on addressing the what can be achieved through sheer not only in the infrastructure but also social ills in our communities. determination, tenacity and the strength to upgrading of teachers’ education Lauretta Ngcobo - a feminist writer, of one’s convictions. u

Local History Museums - Durban 23 Roger Burrows, one of the guests at the opening of the Port Natal - Port of Durban exhibition.

port natal - port of durban

exhibition ROB LUYT

he Port Natal Maritime Museum, The major changes that took place depicted in the exhibited photographs. situated on the bay near the in powering ships and machines - from A passenger terminal was later Ttug basin and Bat Centre, put wind and hand to steam and electricity constructed to make embarkation and together a photographic exhibition since 1850 can be followed in the disembarkation procedures easier for that tells the story of the development photographs on display. The exhibition passengers on the regular mail boats. of the port over the past one hundred also portrays the early difficulties of In the past decades the Port of Durban and seventy years. The exhibition was providing safe access into the Bay of has grown to become the busiest in organised by a partnership comprising Natal across a treacherous sandbar, the South Africa and the biggest in Africa. of LHM, eThekwini Maritime Cluster controversial engineering structures in The semi-permanent photographic and the LHM Finance Trust. It opened the form of two piers, and enormous exhibition records all this progress on Tuesday September 25 and will amounts of dredging that had to be and will be an interesting attraction for remain on display seven days a week. done. Once the harbour was safe, visitors and local Durban people alike, The keynote speaker at the opening quays and wharves were built at the and also a valuable education tool for was Professor Kearney, chairperson Point for ships to berth, with cranes visiting school children. The already of the LHM Finance Trust, who and other dockside facilities to move large visitor numbers of this most highlighted the challenges facing the cargo. The cargo needed transport popular of local history museums in

museum in his speech. The event was systems - wagons, trollies and railways Durban will be boosted further. u covered by various newspapers. and a vast number of workers, all

24 UMLANDO • December 2012 (continued to page 27...)

Local History Museums - Durban 25 DEVIANTART.COM PHOTOGRAPH: PILWE. The African Union ten years on

BHEKI MCHUNU

his year the continent of stock and to reflect. It must be noted precursor to the African Union, was Africa celebrates 10 years of that in the 1960s, when decolonisation formed in May 1963, its paramount the founding of the African of the African continent was in full objective was to build bridges, which Union. The founding summit throttle, there was no organisation had been demolished by colonisation, Tof the African Union took place here that spoke for the continent or had between African countries. It was this in Durban in July 2002. A ten year the continent’s interests at heart. central ideal of internal cohesion and anniversary is an important milestone This was because the colonial powers unity that arguably resulted in the for this organisation whose raison had clamped down on any genuine inability of the OAU to resolve disputes d’être is unity and cooperation among African interests and the benefits of and ending up being referred to as the countries of Africa. Anniversaries, the colonisers informed and guided refuge of dictators. A case in point is over and above being moments of colonial administrations. When the the one time chairman of the OAU, celebration, are also occasions to take Organisation of African Unity, the Idi Amin of Uganda, who did a lot to »

26 UMLANDO • December 2012 destroy the economy of his country and When the AU was formed in 2002, President trample on civil liberties of his people. The OAU never expelled any country; Thabo Mbeki articulated its intentions of even in instances of poor governance, achieving unity, solidarity, cohesion and profligate economics, or armed cooperation among states; of getting rid of conflict with neighbouring countries. The Cold War further handicapped poverty, disease and ignorance and of ending African countries to strike it out on sensless conflicts their own and kept them beholden to the two sides involved in the Cold War. Adopting the ideologies of either the the occasion of the anniversary as an capitalist United States or its western come into operation in 1994. opportunity to reflect; on this score, allies, or of the Communist Soviet The situation in 21st century Africa Thabo Mbeki might be on point. He bloc, guaranteed various African states is quite different from that of the is probably correct also in pointing out funding and support. For many years 1960s. Colonialism and the Cold War that former liberation movements’ the OAU was regarded as nothing have ended, although intra-African inability to bring about meaningful more than a political talk show with conflict and cases of political instability social change once they moved into no clear developmental agenda. and economic deprivation and government has been the cause of The main thrust of the AU is where dependency have not abated. When many of Africa’s weaknesses in the past the OAU failed, namely, in improving the AU was formed in 2002, President ten years. It is indeed inexorable that the practical quality of life of African Thabo Mbeki articulated its intentions African states under the auspices of the people. However, one must hasten of achieving unity, solidarity, cohesion AU do need a robust and continuous to say that the pride and emotions of and cooperation among states; of self-appraisal if the ‘African-solutions- self-worth that the OAU generated building institutional frameworks to for-Africa’s-problems’ mantra is to should not be discounted and this facilitate integration, of developing become a reality; the tenth anniversary is one of the legacies that the AU new partnerships and mobilising represents an opportune time for such wants to continue with. Despite weak all segments of society; of assisting reflection. u leadership, the OAU did succeed peace, stability and security; of getting in later years in developing sound rid of poverty, disease and ignorance institutional frameworks that the AU and of ending senseless conflicts. Fast could use as a launch pad for their forward to 2012, Thabo Mbeki has own objectives of unity, solidarity and come out with a view that the AU cooperation. These include the African has let down the continent because Charter on Human and People’s Rights of petty disagreements between (Nairobi 1981), which led to the heads of state among other things. establishment of the African Human Mbeki criticised the AU summit for Rights Commission in Banjul, The subsuming the tenth anniversary of the Gambia, and the Abuja Treaty (1991), organisation under the ‘less important’ establishing the African Economic matter of election of the chairperson. Community (AEC) culminating in an At the centre of Mbeki’s criticism is the African Common Market, which had need for African heads of state to use

Local History Museums - Durban 27 HISTORIC MOMENTS through the needle’s eye

ARTICLE PRODUCED FROM INPUT BY ROCK ZUMA & KHANYA NDLOVU The evil that men do lives after them; the ur interaction with the past – either recorded as history good is often interred with their bones. or preserved as heritage Julius Caesar – William Shakespeare – Act 3 Scene II – is from a vantage position Oof hindsight. It is through this interaction that its existence present us with scenarios that the cause and effect nexus between the past words, uttered through Mark Antony, that are replete with lessons both on what to do and the present becomes pronounced; it is “the evil that men do lives after them, the and what not to do. There is a great deal from this nexus that many a lesson flow. good is often interred with their bones” and to learn from the life of the ANC and the When diverse ethnic groups who had to boldly proclaim that “the good that men lives of its leaders over the years. However, been fighting the unrelenting subjugating do must live after them and the evil must it must never be forgotten that we learn encroachment of the colonialists came be interred with their bones”. So it must not only from glorious moments and astute together on 8 January 1912 to form the come to pass that the good that leaders personalities but also from not-so-glorious South African Native National Congress, such as Josiah Tshangana Gumede, Pixley moments and not-so-astute personalities. it was a result of a meeting of the minds ka Isaka Seme, and Anton Muziwakhe It would be a distortion of history and of a cohort of black leadership which had Lembede personified must be emulated disingenuous to claim that the ANC has begun to emerge even before the turn and perfected by the present generation of had a perfect hundred years characterised of the century. The South African Native leaders. by perfect leadership. One example of National Congress was a precursor of what Since January this year the president of the moments when the ANC was in a became the African National Congress the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, shambolic state and crying out for leadership in 1923. From inception the ANC was a has been traversing the length and breadth is the time when Alfred Bitini Xuma took crucible which churned out an exceptional of the country delivering memorial lectures over as president in the early 1940s. Xuma breed of leadership for many decades that in honour of the past presidents of the ANC. is known for having turned the situation followed. In celebrating the heroes and The President spoke candidly about the around and brought the organisation heroines of the struggle for liberation under past leaders of the ANC, from his founder back to life through uncompromising and the aegis of the ANC in particular and the forebear, John Dube, to his immediate one, principled leadership. However, this is not broad liberation movement in general, one Thabo Mbeki. There is no doubt in one’s to say that we can only learn something is tempted to invert William Shakespeare’s mind that these lectures have had some meaning for many of us. Whatever the from Xuma because of his exceptional content of each lecture was, whichever performance. There are, without a doubt, We learn not only way it was interpreted by all and sundry, one many important lessons to be gleaned from thing remains – the centenary memorial what those who came before him had from glorious lectures, both those presented by the done to bring the organisation to the state moments and astute President as part of the ANC programme he found it in. personalities but also and those that were delivered by other Seme leaders of the ANC, were, quintessentially, Seme is accused of having brought from not-so-glorious lessons in leadership. the ANC to near-death during his tenure moments and not-so- The ebbs and flows of the ANC as an but, that notwithstanding, he is also the astute personalities. organisation through the hundred years of same person that Jordan Ngubane spoke of as ‘one man whose stature will grow »

28 UMLANDO • December 2012 HISTORIC MOMENTS tremendously as the years go by and whom expressed in Gumede’s words when he future historians of our race will regard as said: “I have discovered there is no Zulu, the greatest African of the first fifty years of Xhosa, Mosotho or Coloured, but all A leader is not an the twentieth century – if not the century are and must be known as Africans” and entitlement, it must as a whole’. Seme was an unparalleled forge unity against the common foes that proponent of Pan-Africanism; Ngubane’s are threatening to undo our hard won be informed by the prophetic words became true when Seme’s victories. commitment to serve belief in the unity and renewal of Africa came Umkhonto we Sizwe the people. to fruition with the founding of the OAU Realising that the Apartheid regime was and later the AU. The current generation intransigent and recalcitrant to petitions circumstances to distinguish himself as a of leaders would therefore do well not and other peaceful means of protest, the brilliant academic and became a successful to let Seme’s good be interred with his ANC, together with the SACP formed lawyer and committed politician and bones but allow that good to live after him. Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), in 1961 to take Africanist. Seme - a political activist, a lawyer, a writer, up arms against the regime. During the Lembede believed that our young an intellectual and orator of international Rivonia Trial of 1963-1964 Nelson Mandela, people have to arm themselves with standing – has been recognised by Zuma founding member of MK, outlined the education. In fact, he once wrote ‘Education as having ‘left a legacy of rich intellectual motivations which led to the formation of is the gateway to high spheres socially, tradition and discourse and…promoted MK thus “… we believed that as a result of politically and economically’.Lembede economic emancipation’ and was ‘the Government policy, violence by the African was known among his peers as a linguist, father of unity and collaboration’.. people had become inevitable, and that unless a thinker and a brilliant scholar. It would Gumede responsible leadership was given to canalise be heartwarming for him to see the youth Gumede is known to have declared and control the feelings of our people, there of today realising their own potential, and that he was prepared to lay down his life would be outbreaks of terrorism which would committing themselves to excel in spite of if only his brothers could be freed from the produce an intensity of bitterness and hostility the challenges they are still facing. monstrous burden of imperialism. He had between the various races of this country…” Through the needle’s foresight to realise the importance of unity This courageous display of leadership and eye of various ideological strands, race groups solidarity would remain a feature of the close The ANC leadership barometer, and even nationalities in the common unity between the ANC, SACP and MK that Through the Eye of a Needle, asserts that fight against imperialism, oppression and would eventually lead to the unraveling of becoming a leader in the movement is not exploitation. His visit to Moscow in 1929 the Apartheid regime. The same hard-line an entitlement and it should not be attached planted the seed of what was to germinate nationalist government that had discarded merely to status; it must be informed by into a formidable alliance between the Black political rights in 1960 and had banned the commitment to serve the people. African National Congress and the both the ANC and the PAC in that year for This leadership blueprint declares that a Communist Party. In his centenary lecture what it considered defiant anti-government leader should constantly seek to improve on Gumede, President Zuma conceded activities was now primed to unban all extra- his capacity to serve the people and not that Gumede is ‘better known as the ANC parliamentary political groups including the arrogate to himself the status of being the president who consciously led the national ANC, SACP and Umkhonto Wesizwe and source of all wisdom. While Through the movement closer to the working class to initiate talks with these organisations on Eye of a Needle articulates the letter of organisations, the Communist Party of the peaceful transition of power to a multi- leadership principles, the likes of Seme, South Africa and the labour movement… a racial democracy in South Africa. Gumede and Lembede epitomise the spirit man who was far ahead of his time politically Lembede of those principles. and organisationally’. Today, confronted by Lembede, despite having grown up The challenges we face today demand the many identities that threaten to divide in the obscure village of Madundube in from our current crop of leadership the kind of us, struggling with the realities of ethnicity, Umbumbulu, kwaZulu-Natal and suffering fortitude, courage, selflessness and resolve that we should take heart from the wisdom abject poverty, rose above his personal Seme, Gumede and Lembede personify. u

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 29 351 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg Tel: 033 394 6834/5 Fax: 033 394 6797 www.voortrekkermuseum.org.za Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00, Saturday & Public Holidays 09:00-13:00 Reference library and internet café Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00

Msunduzi Museum (incorporating the Voortrekker Complex)

The museum was founded in 1912 and depicts the heritage of the different cultural groups of KwaZulu-Natal. Voortrekker history is displayed in the Voortrekker Complex which includes the Church of the Vow, Andries Pretorius House and E.G. Jansen Extension. The main building, formerly the Longmarket Street Girls' School, houses a variety of exhibitions including 'Tapestry of cultures – our diversity is our pride' exhibition, history of Pietermaritzburg' and 'Birth of Democracy' exhibition, supplemented by a Hindu Shiva temple, traditional Zulu home, herb garden and Discovery Centre. Displays on the Anglo-Boer War can be seen at the Voortrekker House in 333 Boom Street. The museum also offers a variety of educational programmes. An outreach programme in which various crafts are taught is offered.

Ncome Museum and Monument Complex

Ncome Museum is located 43km from Dundee on the R33 to Vryheid. The museum is named after the river known as Ncome in isiZulu or Bloedrivier in Afrikaans, meaning Blood River. The site witnessed a major confrontation between the Voortrekkers and amaZulu on 16 December 1838. The museum offers a reinterpretation of the 1838 confrontation and exhibits on Zulu and Sotho culture in general. The Museum regularly hosts cultural events in partnership with local communities. The facility is being upgraded to include a picnic site, library, restaurant, multi-purpose hall and Zulu huts for tourist accommodation. The museum also offers guided tours and educational programmes.

Tel: 034 271 8121 Fax: 034 271 8124 E-mail: [email protected] www.ncomemuseum.co.za Open daily 08:30-16:30 30 UMLANDO • December 2012 COMMEMORATIONS: reconciliation day reconciliationday MOHAU QALAZA

hen I asked a couple of One wonders whether the objective of the day my younger colleagues what Reconciliation Day actually addresses the complexity, ambiguity, meant to them, no one Wcould tell me the history, origins or and emotions surrounding both dominant meaning of the day. To them the main and minor cultural and individual advantage of the day was the time off work so they could go to the beach. narratives of history. In order to understand the significance of Reconciliation Day and democratic government was tasked evolved over time, in a bid to create what we really commemorate, we with promoting reconciliation an inclusive society. The achievement must briefly look at the events that and national unity. The symbolic of democracy in 1994 was the originally gave rise to the establishment acknowledgement of the significance result of a common determination of the day and how it has changed of 16 December in both the Afrikaner to build a shared future, hence the since 1994. and liberation struggle traditions celebration of 16 December as a day Reconciliation Day marks two by renaming the day as the day of reconciliation. In retrospect, one historical events that took place in of Reconciliation, presented an wonders whether the objective of the South Africa. In Apartheid South Africa opportunity to encourage national day actually addresses the complexity, 16 December was observed as the Day unity.The day of Reconciliation was ambiguity, and emotions surrounding of the Covenant, as the Afrikaners, in celebrated for the first time on 16 both dominant and minor cultural preparation for the Battle of Blood December 1995. and individual narratives of history. River on 16 December 1838 against The two events from which the For instance, it is worth noting that in the Zulus, took a vow before God day originated, used similar political Ncome, where the battle of 1838 took that, should they be delivered from ideology, but with conflicting agendas. place, there are usually two separate the Zulus and be granted victory on Afrikaner nationalism emphasised events commemorating the same day. the day, they and their descendants the unity of all Afrikaans-speaking The Afrikaners have their celebration would commemorate the day each white people against Black South on one side of the river whilst the year as a day of thanksgiving and Africans. They believed that racial Zulus have theirs on the other side. remembrance. segregation was a harmonious way They both have different perspectives The second historical event that of administering heterogeneous of what took place during the Battle took place on the same date in 1961, communities. In contrast, the African of Blood River. This split then begs was the founding of Umkhonto we Nationalist movement believed in a the question, what value does the day Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the multicultural, democratic society. It add? Is it taking us anywhere? African National Congress, which was sought to unite all indigenous groups The Truth and Reconciliation launched to wage an armed struggle in the fight for freedom and against the Commission (TRC), which also against the Apartheid government. racism and discrimination which had started its work on December 16, » South Africa’s first non-racial,

Local History Museums - Durban 31 COMMEMORATIONS: reconciliation day : HUBIMG.COM PHOTOGRAPH

1995, highlighted the terrible legacy Today South Africa remains a multi-racial, of apartheid: murders, tortures, beatings and forced removals. The not a interacial society, where the correlation commission provided the opportunity for perpetrators to admit to between race and poverty remains extremely gross human rights violations they committed and thereby pave the strong. way to social reconciliation. On the public or social level of reconciliation, society, where the correlation curtains close on these occasions, what the consciousness of the nation had between race and poverty remains are we doing as a nation to sustain the a chance to heal and change. On the extremely strong. Whose problem is momentum of social cohesion, or are individual level it could be a step in it anyway, the government’s or yours we placated by a seemingly superficial the right direction to reconciliation. and mine? way of advertising and diversifying our The TRC was widely applauded amid With the raising of the national big sporting codes? harsh criticisms, one of which was by flag at the inauguration of former Perhaps it is worth adopting John Pilger, who alleged that the TRC President Mandela on 10 May 1994, and implementing various historical allowed the easy transition from white there was a moment of national conciliation methodologies such as exclusive capitalism to multiracial reconciliation. The many recent mediation, sustained dialogue, sincere capitalism and that it failed to cause sporting achievements such as the apologies, acknowledgement, support the trial of criminals, particularly successful hosting of the Rugby of public commemoration activities murderers. World Cup in 1995 and the Soccer and public diplomacy, in pursuit of Are we as a nation living the day World Cup in 2010, a good showing achieving the real objective of the or not? What needs to be done to in the London 2012 Olympics and Reconciliation Day. u reconcile or address the imbalances of Paralympics to name but a few, have the past that are glaring in all spheres of also created a national atmosphere our communities? Today South Africa of unity and reconciliation. When the remains a multiracial, not an interacial

32 UMLANDO • December 2012 COMMEMORATIONS: youth day youthday

ARTICLE PRODUCED FROM INPUT BY: MAYPHER MNGOMEZULU

The Soweto student uprising was an eruption of discontent which had been bubbling under the surface for a long time.

»

Local History Museums - Durban 33 34 UMLANDO • December 2012 heritageday THEVAN HARRY

eritage Day in South Africa “I am what I am because of who we all are” is observed every year on 24 September. In the Leymah Gbowee new South Africa the day Hreplaces the heritage days from the the signs and symbols passed on by culture and identity were very narrow. previous dispensation, celebrated oral transmission, artistic and literary With South Africa’s first democratic by ethnic groups, e.g. Kruger Day, forms of expression, languages, ways elections in 1994, came a new vision observed by the Afrikaners on 10 of life, myths, beliefs and rituals, value for South Africa, a democratic country October and Shaka Day, observed by systems and traditional knowledge with a common identity. the Zulus on 24 September. and know-how. Key to forming a common In 1996 former President Mandela Within a broader social and national identity and a new nation is stated “When … government decided political context, Heritage Day is an the recognition of the importance of to make Heritage Day one of our agent for fostering reconciliation and cultural heritage. Heritage moulds and national days, we did so because we promoting the notion that variety is moulded by social forces, constantly knew that our rich and varied cultural is a national asset, not a simmering changing and evolving. The declaration heritage has a profound power to help cauldron waiting to boil over. ‘Our of 24 September as National Heritage build our new nation. We did so knowing country is dedicated to forgiveness Day gives the people of South Africa an that the struggles against the injustice and reconciliation, a celebration of opportunity to craft a common identity and inequities of the past are part of our our rich diversity in colour, creed and across boundaries of race, colour and national identity; they are part of our culture’ said emeritus Archbishop creed. With respect for each other’s culture.” Desmond Tutu. cultural heritage, great strides towards It is in this spirit that we as South Heritage Day is also a day for social cohesion, healing, reconciliation Africans are called upon to celebrate promulgating a South African identity, and nation building become possible. and embrace the country’s rich a day of reflection on who we are, It is in the spirit of uBuntu that one cultural diversity. We must understand where we come from and where recognises that the boundaries which that cultural heritage covers the entire we are heading to as people. More confined heritage to ethnic groups are corpus of material handed down to than three hundred years of social antiquated. Liberian peace activist, each culture. Cultural heritage includes engineering has left its mark on South Leymah Gbowee’s assertion “I am both the human and the natural African society. Indigenous culture, what I am because of who we all are” environment. It is not only about the traditions and social practices have for rings especially true for the notion of a rural heritage and the countryside centuries been viewed as inferior to common identity. As South Africans it but also the urban, technical or those of the colonial master. Definitions is important to remember that cultural industrial heritage. Cultural heritage of who was a South African, what diversity is part of that common also speaks to the non-physical, constituted a South African heritage, identity. u intangible heritage, which includes

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 3535 COMMEMORATIONS: women’s day

women unite in fighthing poverty, inequality and unemployment

THEVAN HARRY

ver the last hundred Courageous, brave and tenacious, the years women have played an important women of the 1956 march displayed role in the struggle outstanding leadership, organisation and Oagainst colonialism, imperialism and mobilisation skills. Apartheid. Furthermore, long before any formal women’s organisations camps where 26,000 of them died came into being, women lobbied for women, not just those represented by under adverse conditions from equal rights. It was in honour of the the marchers in 1956. It can therefore malnutrition and epidemics caused by sacrifice, courage and heroism of the be argued that this day should be lack of proper sanitation. women of this country that 9 August about celebrating the important role It should be equally proper and was declared a national day. While played by women of all hues in our acceptable to recall and acknowledge what is today known as Women’s society. that in 1912, in what was probably Day and commemorates the Pretoria Against this backdrop, and in the the first mass passive resistance march in 1956 by women protesting spirit of social cohesion and nation campaign in our country, Indian against extension of hated pass laws building, it should then be proper women encouraged Black and Indian to apply to African women, it is and acceptable to remember and miners in Newcastle to strike against important to note and appreciate the recognise the fact that in the Anglo- starvation wages, and in 1913, Black inclusive spirit that should characterise Boer War of 1899-1902, it was the and Coloured women in the Free the commemoration of this day today. women who courageously kept the State protested against having to The fact that in the new democratic farms going, planting, harvesting carry identity passes, which White dispensation the day was christened and herding livestock, to supply the women were not required to do. In Women’s Day means that it refers to all commandos in the field with food. 1918, Charlotte Maxeke started the This defiance of first formal women’s organisation the British (Bantu Women’s League) and by war effort 1943, women could join the ANC; by by Afrikaner 1948, the ANC Women’s League was women, led formed with Ida Mtwana as its first Lord Kitchener president. TURQUOISEROOM.WORDPRESS.COM to herd the THE

: The Nationalist government who women and came to power in 1948, brought in children off to pass laws to control the movement concentration » PHOTOGRAPH

36 UMLANDO • December 2012 COMMEMORATIONS: women’s day COTTS.CO.ZA GRO GENERALWEBSITE.COM RESERVE BANK ANISA.ORG.ZA : : : :

GILL MARCUS DR MAMPHELA RAMPHELE SIBONGILE KHUMALO DR NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA PHOTOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPH

of African people into the cities and that followed. Courageous, brave Dr Mamphela Ramphele served as towns, mobilise labour and maintain and tenacious, the women of the President of the World Bank, Sbongile the rural economy. African women 1956 march displayed outstanding Khumalo has kept opera audiences played an important role in the rural leadership, organisation and spellbound for decades, Dr Nkosazana economy. The division of labour in mobilisation skills. They dispelled the Dlamini-Zuma has been appointment pre-colonial African society was based myth that a woman’s place was in as the first female Chairperson of the on gender, with women performing the kitchen and showed the men that African Union. domestic and agricultural work. they could hold their own in all walks Though enormous strides have Confining African women to the of life. been made by women, this year’s Native Reserve was an attempt to Today women play an important theme Women Unite in fighting make the reserves sustainable and role in the South African economy, poverty, inequality and unemployment cheapen male African labour. In the composing approximately 27% of the provides a sobering reminder that 1950’s the government launched labour force. While many women much more needs to be done. With a renewed attempt to extend the are employed in the informal sector, an unemployment rate of 25 % and carrying of passes to African women, some occupy senior positions in the approximately 47 % of South Africans but the Federation of South African public and private sectors. Fourteen living below the poverty line, the Women began canvassing opposition Ministers and 15 Deputy Ministers in struggle of post-apartheid South Africa to this. Finally, on 9 August 1956, these President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet are around issues of poverty, inequality protests culminated in the historical women. In the private sector women and unemployment remains. The march of 20 000 women of all races occupy Chief Executive Officer examples of solidarity among women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to positions, directorships and executive in this country over the past century, petition against the extension of the management positions. Women when they united in a common cause, pass laws to African women. have made their mark in all fields of should inspire us all to unite across

The significance of the women’s academia, in law, science, engineering, cultural, race or political divisions. u march on Pretoria did not escape the medicine, commerce, arts and many Nationalist government, the African others. A female Governor, Gill National Congress or generations Marcus, heads our Reserve Bank,

Local History Museums - Durban 37 COMMEMORATIONS: freedom day

Freedom Day, Workers’ Day: A moment to reflect

BHEKI MCHUNU

he months of April and May The basic rights of ordinary people and levels are significant months on South Africa’s national calendar. The of inequality that still persist in our country. symbolism and significance Tof these two months derives from the fact that on 27 April 1994 South Former President Nelson Mandela Africans voted for the first time as casting his vote at Ohlange High AP PHOTOGRAPH: School in 1994 equals on a one man one vote basis on a common voters’ roll. On 1 May the world celebrates Workers’ Day. These two days are always bound to bring into sharp focus issues of civil liberties - political, social and economic. Government’s acknowledgment of the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment reveal a situation whereby we all can claim to be free politically but not all of us are socio- economically free. The incidents in Ficksburg, Marikana, De Doorns, Lenasia and other places are indicative of the measure of desperation characterising some sections of our society at both community and workplace levels. On Freedom Day in 1994, scores of South Africans joined the snaking queues across the country to make their mark in the first democratic elections. The overwhelming majority of those who voted that day were doing it for the first time. As the African National Congress turns hundred this year and our democracy turns eighteen, the basic rights of ordinary »

38 UMLANDO • December 2012 COMMEMORATIONS: freedom day

people and levels of inequality that still Are black people pathetic moaners? Are white persist in our country become natural focal points for reflection and debate. people convenient scapegoats? How many A comparative look at what has South Africans have taken it upon themselves been achieved since 1994 in various to understand what Apartheid and the struggle areas of South African society elicits at least two opposing perspectives. On against it were really about? the one hand there is a perspective that portends that it is too soon to these challenges are? Are black people The 18 years-300 years comparison assess progress made and to be critical pathetic moaners? Are white people should probably never be about about where are we falling short given convenient scapegoats? It would be the literal difference in the number the task we are faced with - the task interesting to find out how many South of years or what is believed to be of undoing the damage of more than Africans ever entertain the thought achievable in a space of 18 years. It three hundred years. Those who about what might have happened if should be about what happened and hold this view are also critical of the Nelson Mandela and his comrades the amount of havoc it wreaked in a unrepentant, dismissive and even non- had not initiated the negotiations at period of over 300 years. How much committal attitudes of beneficiaries of the time that they did. It would be do South Africans know about this colonialism and apartheid, who are even more interesting to know how period? Those laws and what they did largely, if not invariably, white. On many South Africans have taken it to the moral fabric of our society, the the other hand there is a view that upon themselves to understand what quality of life of millions, and the social after eighteen years any reference to Apartheid and the struggle against it relations and attitudes among different colonisation and apartheid is now an were really about. How many of us people? We need to ask ourselves as a unwarranted excuse and those who have gone out of our way to really nation - Black, White, Coloured and are still harping on that must move establish what all this colonisation- Indian, how prepared are we to have on with their lives and get on with the Apartheid-redress fuss is really about? an honest dialogue on these issues. programme. It takes reading the biographies and When all is said and done, the The central question we should be other stories about heroes and villains, inexorable fact we must appreciate asking is what lesson or lessons history communities and organisations that is that the freedoms that 27 April has for us? Does history confirm the were involved, to appreciate the symbolises and workers’ rights that latter view that any reference to magnitude of sacrifice made, the May Day typifies are inextricable colonisation and Apartheid eighteen indignity endured and the brutality linked. u years on is a copout and an excuse for committed by those who controlled incompetence and underperformance, the state machinery against those who or does it present us with a stark had no control and no power. It takes reality that we have been traumatised a deliberate look at the conditions of and brutalised to such an extent that it various races in all areas of their lives will take many years to recover and be to appreciate the extent of injustice normal again? suffered by millions of people and a How do we confront the disproportionate comfort enjoyed by challenges besetting us if we are not a few. even on the same page about what

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40 UMLANDO • December 2012 OPINIONS AND VIEWS Our government cannot do it alone DR DEVI RAJAB

n my usual morning Conquerors need to be reminded that the walk through a leafy suburb, I encounter battle for freedom is as hard as the battle to a young man picking keep it Othrough the garbage. With spindly fingers he neatly opens each bag and digs discriminately through the trashy that he doesn’t do crime. So I offer him would never succeed as a nation. contents as though there are treasures a small opportunity to feed himself by We need to work together, says to be found within its bowels. I stop and creating a job to guard a section of minister Trevor Manuel, who heads ask him what he is looking for and he our street on Sundays when criminals the National Planning Commission, politely answers with smooth dignity: take advantage of empty homes while which urges all citizens to participate “Ma’am, I am looking for old metal and the residents’ frolick on the beach or in the vast project to solve the crisis things.” I engage him in a conversation visit the malls. I get no takers from my that we are currently experiencing. and soon learn that he hasn’t eaten neighbours who are very scared of “Change occurs when people behave for two days. “I only drink water,” black youths. So I go it alone and with differently,” says Manuel. He sees the he says, “to keep myself going.” His the assistance of my other staff we advancement of the developmental slender physique confirms his claims. are feeding and training and educating trajectory as involving the complex I direct him to my house where he our young garbage picker who hasn’t interplay of many socio-economic and will be given some breakfast. We chat given up his main job but who knows political forces including the conscious casually about what jobs he could get. that on a Sunday he gets enough to efforts of individuals. And this is where He has passed Grade 11 and couldn’t buy food for a week while he hunts we step in as citizens of this country. If complete matric as his grandmother for another job. we continue placing all responsibilities had died leaving him with no financial In SA, poverty and crime are our at the threshold of government, we will assistance. He moved from one set of biggest challenges. Nineteen years into be disappointed in our ineffectiveness distant relatives to another and landed our democracy, poverty and crime as a nation. in the mjondolos where he met other are the two chestnuts that mar our Instead, when Kennedy challenged youth garbage pickers. He has greater current progress as a nation. This is the American nation with these words plans of opening a cigarette kiosk, but especially so since the poverty has led that still resonate true to this day: “Ask he has no funds for a startup project. to all sorts of dehumanising brutalities not what your country can do for you. I tell him about the Small Business affecting the very core of our society. Ask what you can do for your country,” Association. What occurs to me is he moved the onus on to John Citizen the dearth of ideas of people like him Participate to participate fully and democratically in finding jobs. I tell him my fears of in addressing national issues. He At one level the solution lies in engaging people off the streets. He moved the collective conscience from fighting unemployment, which, if hands me his ID book and assures me the brain to the heart. He changed left to the government alone we cynicism into nationalism. »

Local History Museums - Durban 41 OPINIONS AND VIEWS

The positive spin-off in taking this unemployment and inequality should a holistic approach involving education, stance is that we start to empower be solved, just as we cannot call a nutrition, safe communities, housing, ourselves as citizens, to care for mass meeting to get a plan on how we public transport, water sanitation, our country, to know our rights and can send a rocket to the moon. recreation and the opportunity for concomitant duties, to raise our That is useless populism that work. expectations for a better country, to shall not get us anywhere. From the For indeed conquerors need to be resist populist pressures and to choose “people’s assemblies” we shall only constantly reminded that the battle leaders to work for a true democracy get demands for jobs, for the end of for freedom is as hard as the challenge rather than building empires to fortify poverty, for equality, for health, etc, to keep it. Retaining our hard earned themselves. just as the people may say we should democracy is our greatest challenge. We must, however, guard against send a manned spacecraft to the For surely, in the words of Thomas a false notion of democracy, warns moon. How all this is to be done does Moore: the Kingdom of France is Professor Herbert Vilakazi. When the not come from the assemblies, but indeed greater than one man can masses of society want major changes, from individuals who have specialised govern. u particularly changes in the life of the knowledge; at the end, the “how” poor, working, and unemployed in must be taken back to the assemblies urban and rural areas, science and for serious study, questioning, specialised knowledge come into play. amendments, and approval. This article first appeared in The We cannot rely on mass meetings of Addressing the issue of poverty is Mercury Newspaper of 2 October political parties, or hundreds of people not an emotive, but a rational one. It 2012 in consultation in public halls, to requires a comprehensive knowledge propose how the problem of poverty, of the social and economic sciences and

it’s in our hands BHEKI MCHUNU

f there is one inspiring and Ordinary people fought tooth and nail for empowering lesson that we as their dignity and their inalienable right to be ordinary citizens of this country must learn from the protracted human beings. Istruggle for liberation, largely led by the 100 year old African National over many years of the ANC-led Congress, it is the power and impact organization since its founding in struggle. Ordinary men and women of the agency of ordinary men and 1912 . A great deal has been said on defied Apartheid laws in the Defiance women. The most prominent and many platforms about the quality of Campaign of 1952. Young men and visible part of the ANC centenary leadership that the ANC was able to women of common stock took up celebrations has been the memorial develop, galvanise and use to bring the arms when uMkhonto we Sizwe was lectures of President Jacob Zuma on system of Apartheid to its knees. It was, formed. Ordinary boys and girls faced the eleven presidents of the ANC however, ordinary people who were bullets with only stones in their hands who have been at the helm of the mobilised into strikes and boycotts on the streets of Soweto on 16 June »

42 UMLANDO • December 2012 OPINIONS AND VIEWS

Freedom and emancipation should mean being in charge of one’s life, not being taken care of by the state or by the next person.

1976. With leaders emerging from unequal nations in the world. The vast more vigorously punted as a strategy their own ranks, and in unison declaring majority of our people cannot extricate to overcome the triple developmental never to be second class citizens in the themselves from the quagmire of challenges we face, we would do country of their birth, these ordinary poverty - largely because of lack of well not to take a ‘developmental people fought tooth and nail for their skills and decent education which are state’ to mean a nanny state. In a dignity and their inalienable right to a result of our unfortunate past. There bid to redress the imbalances of the be human beings. Leadership was is no doubt that those who continue past and to give many marginalised critical, but the ordinary folk carried to exist on the socio-economic fringes individuals and communities some the day - some where beaten up, need to be brought to the centre and kind of foothold towards socio- arrested, maimed, killed and some their pride restored. There is also economic independence, government even disappeared without a trace. As no gainsaying the central role that must guard against reducing people we reflect on the Centenary and the government has to play in a bid to to positions of perpetual dependency. struggle for liberation that the ANC fight inequality, unemployment and Social grants are good, so long as they is an embodiment of, we would do poverty. However, one must hasten do not absolve people of responsibility well to critically look at the extent to say that government involvement for their lives but help them to their to which, as ordinary citizens, we in the better-life-for-all project must feet and to ultimate independence and have jettisoned responsibility for our not absolve us of responsibility for our emancipation. Government-funded own destinies and the duty to pick lives. Our government continues to housing is good, so long as it is seen up the cudgels in waging a new war lead in ensuring that we understand by beneficiaries as respite, not as the against inequality, unemployment and and articulate the challenges we ultimate. The ANC Centenary must poverty. Such reflection should shine face, so that we tackle them from remind us of the many challenges a critical light not only on how we an adequately informed and well that have beset many post-colonial behave as followers, but also how we crystallised perspective. The Diagnostic African countries. With the benefit behave as leaders. Is the language that Report and National Development of lessons gleaned from the mistakes our leaders use today a language that Plan are some of the roadmaps that of other African countries and inspires people to get up and do things are central to our understanding of leaders and governments of post- for themselves? What is the meaning where we are, where we need to independence states, we must be of freedom if it is not the ability to be go and how to get there. It is not wary of degenerating into a nation the captain of your ship and master of the sole responsibility of politicians of big men and little people. Our your fate? and government functionaries to nation needs citizens who are agents South Africa is a nation that is still understand and act in accordance of change more than it needs good coming to its own. The story of our with the insight that these documents leaders. Freedom and emancipation colonial and apartheid past and the reveal, it is the responsibility of us all. should mean being in charge of one’s havoc it wreaked in its wake, is well As the notion of a developmental life, not being taken care of by the documented. We are one of the most state becomes more pronounced and state or by the next person. u

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 43 bookreviews Prodigal Daughters: Stories of South African Women in Exile

Edited by: Lauretta Ngcobo. Publisher: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2012 Review by: ALLISON RUITERS

his book is a collection of stories from women of Apartheid may have existed within their homeland, different race groups, ages and political affiliations. however the accounts of segregation in so many different TThe account by these women has three common forms - within exile communities; between “insiles” and threads – they were all women, they were all in exile and exiles and then also between themselves and their adopted they had hard choices to make. countries’ citizens – is indicative of an environment that Whilst the backdrop of all their stories is the liberation exists within our country today. After hundred years of the movement and the fight for freedom from the oppressive liberation movement and eighteen years of democracy, the apartheid government, the reader is bound to be drawn in ability of our nation to look beyond the ‘othering’ and to by the real, everyday choices of survival as a woman, wife seek an ‘identity that transcends race, geography, ethnicity, and mother, and ultimately as a freedom fighter. “I would economics and ideology’ appears to be an elusive dream. have to leave two babies behind – a seventeen-month-old In stark contrast, are the emotive accounts of the African daughter and a son who was just over five months old” continent opening their borders and their hearts to these (Baleka Mbete) – painful decisions and sacrifices that these women and their families, as encapsulated in Brigalia Hlope women made, all contributing towards the freedom we Bam’s closing – “It was in exile that I discovered, fell in love all enjoy today, and ultimately the freedom of those very with and was loved by the African continent”. u children whom they left behind. The devoted actions of being a wife and choosing to sacrifice your own preferred path, in a society wholly ruled by male decisions, are challenges that women still face today, even if against a different backdrop – “I could have fought the system right here. What I chose was to support my husband who did not seem to have the same choices. He had to leave and my commitment to him was to go with him” (Ellen Pheko). The notion of “home” being “the place where you can be yourself; are accepted, warts and all, for who you are; without exception” (Busi Chaane) is a stark contrast to the many soulful accounts of being apart from a country abundant with family, culture and tradition, even if all of this existed in a milieu of political turmoil.

44 UMLANDO • December 2012 BOOK REVIEWS

Nelson Mandela: Conversations with myself

Author: Nelson Mandela. Publisher: Macmillan Publishers, 2010 Review by: BHEKI MCHUNU

n this book Nelson Mandela allows us the opportunity struggle heroes and heroines were indeed ordinary human of a casual yet intimate conversation with him. He beings could just as well be said to be one of the objectives Iallows us into the thoughts and feelings of Mandela the of this book. This book is a good account and source of ordinary man not Mandela the world icon. The book opens insight for those who were on either side of the fence - one’s eyes anew to the reality of what Mandela and his and even those who were sitting on the fence during that compatriots endured as freedom fighters in the struggle for protracted period of oppression and the equally protracted liberation in South Africa. struggle to end that oppression in South Africa. This is a The book is a refreshing presentation of Mandela; must-read for both the curious reader who just enjoys stripped of the trappings of Mandela the brand with chronicles of specific periods and events in the history of Mandela the man coming out in all his “glory”. The book South Africa to historians and researchers looking to close does an excellent job in offering an intimate exposition of some knowledge gaps or confirm certain facts. u Mandela. The anecdotes it presents and the many letters that Mandela wrote to various people as well as the casual conversations with Ahmed Kathrada and Richard Stengel are some of the ways employed to great effect to allow Mandela to speak as a friend, a brother, a son, a husband and a father. Even in instances where he speaks as a comrade and a freedom fighter it is a personal account of events as experienced by Mandela the ordinary human being; with all the frailties and fallibilities laid bare for all to see. It is fascinating to observe from handwritten letters and diary entries how his handwriting transforms from meticulous and steady inscriptions with every letter formed with such great care and precision while he was in prison to a clearly rushed and scribbled kind you see after prison. The prison handwriting reflects somebody with all the time in the world to put pen to paper; somebody to whom sitting down and writing a letter was a solemn moment of reflecting and connecting with his inner self and those many relatives and friends outside prison. The form that his handwriting takes after prison, without a doubt, shows signs of rushed scribbles by someone extremely busy and in a hurry to record something or put a point across with his mind on the next course of action or activity. An excellent read for those who are keen to understand and appreciate the experiences that those who were at the coalface of the struggle for liberation went through and how they coped as ordinary human beings. And making the point that the

Local History Museums - Durban 45 The poverty of Ideas: South African Democracy and the retreat of the Intellectuals

Edited by: William Gumede and Leslie Dikeni. Publisher: Jacana Media, 2009 Review by: BETSIE GREYLING

hatever happened to that ‘the capacity of a nation to conduct intellectuals in our New South public debates is an important foundation WAfrica? Why have their voices in building a democratic society’, these retreated to the periphery of mainstream authors offer their own perspectives public life? Why has democracy of thought from the wide spectrum of disciplines and expression gone into hiding? Has they represent. the space for dissent and public dialogue The editorial introduction spells out the of the ‘post-Apartheid state’. He therefore become so uncomfortably narrow because crises that are strangling the country, from argues for the counteraction by public critics of mainstream thinking are scared the ‘staggering collapse in the sense of intellectuals who speak from a location of the’ disloyal’ label ? These are some of social justice, ethics and moral values [to] outside the state, “that space from which the undertones in this disturbing, thought- the dream of a caring and compassionate the power of the powerless emerges’. It provoking account of what is happening society.’ Thabo Mbeki himself said that is indeed an eye-opening discourse that with public discourse in this country. South Africa had absorbed a value system articulates the subtle devaluation of ideas The editors, themselves seasoned in which ‘personal success and fulfilment and intellectual thought in the public sphere generators of intellectual thought, succeed means personal enrichment at all costs’. and investigates the continuing effect of in bringing together an anthology of Nothing much has changed since then, Government’s intolerance of criticism on fourteen essays expounding intellectual but public criticism and dissent still fails to developing a true democracy. reflections on the role of public intellectuals make the front pages. As to be expected in an anthology of this in our new democracy. Among the The concern about this seeming decline kind, each author has his own writing contributors are Grant Farred, writing in the role of public intellectuals is a style, some more philosophical than on intellectuals and power; Mahmood recurring refrain in the essays, which others, but always clear to the attentive Mamdani on African intellectuals and keeps reminding the reader that we reader. The overarching theme of the identity; Jonathan Jansen on intellectuals all have a role to play to address the retreat of the public intellectual serves as and the universities; Prishani Naidoo on malaise. Jonathan Jansen shares his view the glue that binds the individual essays the intellectual role of youth movements; that the quality, depth and sustainability together in focused unison. The book is Mandisa Mbali on science and activisim of democracy are inherently dependent certainly not an easy read for a lazy Sunday in the era of AIDS denialism; and Vishnu on the treatment of intellectuals, while afternoon, it is an academic work that Padayachee and Graham Sherbut on Prishani Naidoo persuades the reader of requires intellectual thinking of the reader economists and economic policy-making. the subtle, relentless erosion of any hint of throughout. The perspectives from so The diverse group of contributors disagreement or discontent by so-called many divergent angles compels the reader stand up well to the challenge to enter the party discipline. In Grant Farred’s cogent to form own opinions. Reading ‘The debate on what constitutes the role and exposition of the intellectual and power, Poverty of Ideas’ presents a close encounter responsibility of the intellectual in making he contends that political leaders of the day with a deeply thought-provoking subject, true democracy in South Africa a reality. fail in their intellectuality, because their own leading to reflection and the discovery of In the spirit of Barney Pityana’s insight thinking is reined in by the sovereign whole new insights. u

46 UMLANDO • December 2012 Thabo Mbeki and the battle for the Soul of the ANC

Author: William Mervin Gumede. Publisher: Zebra Press, 2005. Review by: BETSIE GREYLING

ith this critical biography of engineered, is put forward by the embarrassed him in this regard. Thabo Mbeki, award-winning author as a combination of birth, luck, Ultimately however, it is Mbeki’s Wjournalist Mervin Gumede, intelligence and ruthlessness. Once in tendency to equate criticism of the pens down the political personality of power, Mbeki pursued his objectives state with a campaign to sabotage a man that remains a closed book to of industrial modernisation and socio- transformation or to question the most people. Gumede, motivated by a economic reform with equal fervour. legitimacy or integrity of the state quest to add a different angle to existing The author gives a sharply articulated that is wedging the cracks that are accounts of the ANC in government, synthesis of the politics behind Mbeki’s beginning to widen within party ranks. succeeds in painting a picture that economic policies and the failures of Ironically, Mbeki only appointed Zuma exposes many hidden facets of Mbeki’s some of these. The reader is struck by Deputy-President in 1999 because complex personality, his political vision his ostensible inability to foresee the he was not considered presidential and his economic philosophy. The social cost of his decisions, seemingly material, another case of rewarding reader gains an understanding of the contradictory pronouncements and by loyalty… but his aloofness encouraged contradictory nature of the man and his elegant but merciless luring of his rank-and-file ANC members to turn the driving forces behind many, often colleagues into agreement. to Zuma with their problems, and so controversial, political decisions of his Mbeki’s denial of the severity of the Zuma’s support base grew. At the time era. AIDS pandemic, his handling of the of writing the presidential elections The book is a political biography of Zimbabwe land-grab crisis, his views were still upcoming, and ‘the battle for Mbeki and the ANC’s transition from on black economic empowerment, the soul of the ANC’ was on. liberation movement to governing all reinforced his image as a remote Gumede’s courageous uncovering party. Whilst chapters follow roughly intellectual, not always in contact with of astounding controversial and chronologically, they are organised the realities of the day, and not easily contradictory facets of Thabo Mbeki’s thematically, exploring different convinced to set a new course. political persona and his interaction aspects of Mbeki’s leadership, his A most worrying area of contradiction with of ANC party politics, takes the convictions and philosophies and how is seen in the increasing penchant of reader on an expedition of discovery these dovetail with ANC policies and Mbeki to reward loyalty and sideline into largely unchartered terrain, his own position within the party. critics. This kind of arrogance breeds providing unexpected insights in South Gumede explains the strategies Mbeki corruption, which is rife among African current affairs and the Mbeki employed to imprint his own will and government officials who, in Mbeki’s administration. The writing style is views on the ANC during his reign, and words, ‘have used the opportunity to easy to follow and lures the reader to how the intrigues that developed from assume public office as an opening for follow the writer into the backrooms this backroom stranglehold eventually them to acquire wealth for themselves and boardrooms of politics. It is a grew into a battle for succession. by corrupt means’. But ironically, book that provokes and elucidates, Thabo Mbeki’s rapid rise to a number of senior appointments sometimes infuriates and exasperates, power, purposely planned and skilfully that Mbeki himself had made, have but never bores. u

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 47 Conversations with My Sons and Daughters

Author: Mamphela Ramphele. Publisher: Penguin Books, 2012 Review by: WITTY NYIDE

n these frank analytical nine backdrops for meaning-making. chapters Ramphele, as with her Her constant reference to Iprevious books; social commentary daily individual scenarios enhances and community outreach, inspires her accessible style and carries a the reader to adopt a discerning potential to penetrate beyond the participatory stance that honestly prevailing mediocre photo and t-shirt interrogates and review South Africa’s public relation exercises that many progress not only post-1994, but maps government departments seem to psycho-social dispositions that either measure their social development complement or taint past and present interventions against. governance identities. Highlighting Ramphele’s brief reference to her issues such as irrelevant leadership active involvement within the Black styles within the public sector and Consciousness Movement in the poor education, the book is a stark 1970 clearly contextualise the ‘shifting reminder that shifts in perception ground of reason’ and provides and interpretation of historical and the reader with clearer lenses to into a diagnostic overview running current events are always punctuated navigate concepts of self-definition through the varying constructs of the by context and subjective positions on and collective healing. Throughout widening gaps between the affluent any given political issue. the chapters, Ramphele sets her minorities and the impoverished This book is a response to the arguments against the backdrop of majorities clearly maps the absence of numerous mentorship requests other societies that have battled an educated electorate. It poignantly which Ramphele has received, with re-birthing a ‘shared system brings the attention of the reader thus its overall tenor cautions the of common values that constantly to the systematic perpetuation of younger generation of the somehow wrestle with how to align decision passive loyalist voters instead of loosening, if not flawed, seams within making at the personal, professional, questioning citizens that dare to the lived translation of a democratic as well as societal level.’ Zooming ‘demand accountability from their constitution. The multi-layered into personal encounters and some representatives.’ A common thread significance of these intergenerational of the seminal voices such as Frantz that characterise most post-colonial conversations is the audacious tone, Fanon, Carl Jung, Njabulo Ndebele African states’ entanglement in very much like a concerned mother’s, and Mahmood Mamdani, she evaluates yester military entitlements and tribal with which she communicates both prevailing mindsets that threaten the authoritarianism that accompany the the grand and grass root narratives progressive ‘idealism’ imbedded not persisting challenges to de-racialise and that continuously constitute South only within the constitution, but other democratise in order to decolonise. u Africa’s becoming. This perfectly key blueprint documents such as the timed dialogue bears paramount millennium development goals, the relevance as the ruling party celebrates ANC’s 10-point plan for education 100 years of existence, particularly and Integrated Development Plans at in providing much necessary halting local government level. points, reflections as well as newer The level at which this book delves

48 UMLANDO • December 2012 Umkhonto we Sizwe: Fighting for a divided people

Author/s: Thula Bopela and Daluxolo Luthuli. Publisher: Galago Publishing (Pty) Ltd, 2005. Review by: BHEKI MCHUNU

he book is a moving account of Thula Bopela and Daluxolo Luthuli as members of Umkhonto we TSizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress; what inspired and influenced them to join MK, the travails and disenchantments they went through from the point they joined to first combat, to arrest and imprisonment and ultimate freedom. In this book, Bopela and Luthuli incisively and insightfully give us a peek into the trajectory of a freedom fighter’s life - from the factors that informed the decision to join MK, to the experience in the camps outside South Africa. The difficult decisions that these men had to make at a very tender age and the difficulties they went through are testimony to the indomitable human spirit; particularly in circumstances where action is taken on the grounds of principle and in pursuance of a noble and just cause. Their experience of training in Africa and in Europe, their first taste of combat and the many chilling anecdotes of their journey are presented in a candid and accessible language. This book successfully takes the reader along with Bopela and Luthuli in their voyage from the time they skip the country as young men right up to their return and reunion as grown men inside the country. Bopela and Luthuli do a sterling job of letting us into the behind-the-scenes goings- his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment and he on in the life of a guerrilla. spent 13 years in prison. From a story of just two men who sacrificed their Umkhonto we Sizwe: Fighting for a divided people is a youth for both their freedom and that of their people, the well written chronicle of the life of a freedom fighter; reader gets exposed to various dimensions of the liberation written is a personal tone and accessible language. struggle. This book facilitates the reader’s appreciation not Throughout this book Thula Bopela and Daluxolo Luthuli only of Bopela’s and Luthuli’s beliefs and their motivation tell not only their story but the story of many young men for joining the struggle but of what drove many other young and women who sacrificed their youth, some even life and men and women to take up the cudgels for the liberation limb, for South Africa to be free. u of South Africa. It is a moving story of resolve in the face of uncertainty, pride under humiliating circumstances, hope in the midst of despair, and unprecedented heroism and courage under extremely trying circumstances. Both men go through nerve wrecking experiences, coming face to face with death several times – Luthuli spent ten years on Robben Island and Bopela 21 months on death row before

Local History Museums - Durban 49 TRIBUTE

They came, they saw, they conquered!

BHEKI MCHUNU

t feels like it was only yesterday that the Their enthusiasm to learn and to get involved four young women – Khanyisile Mfayela, and their contagious hunger to make a Nandi Hlatshwayo, Zamathembu Mthembu and Lihle Ndlovu – joined contribution and to register their presence in ILocal History Museums as interns. It an environment that was new and potentially was in February that the four came on overwhelming and daunting to them has been board through the Skills Development Department internship programme. a marvel to many of us. Almost a year later they have become part of Local History Museums family. KwaMuhle Museum, receiving visitors could not be faulted. She has proven to be They have effortlessly blended with and and regaling them with the history of an excellent team player and participated embraced the Local History Museums KwaMuhle and the story of the Durban and made contributions in a number of environment and ever so bravely stepped System with such verve and enthusiasm. our programmes. onto the plate to make their presence She became part of the organizing teams Zama became a familiar face at felt. Their enthusiasm to learn and to for different events and assisted with Old Court House Museum alternating get involved and their contagious hunger the planning and registration of guests at between receiving visitors at the front desk to make a contribution and to register various exhibition openings. Always handy and working with the collection on the top their presence in a new and potentially and willing to assist with odd tasks such as floor. She wrapped her head quickly around overwhelming and daunting environment the asset recording exercise and research- the intricacies of data recording, specific has been a marvel to many of us. Khanyisile related tasks. Her level of professionalism museum procedures and standards » became an active representative of

5050 UMLANDO • December 2012 TRIBUTE and taking care of delicate museum objects. She has been involved with the archival fi ling system for documents and photographs, arranging transportation of artefacts to other storage departments and recording orders of photographs and documenting payments. Zama has proven to be a diligent and conscientious worker who pays meticulous attention to detail, is eager to learn and has a composed attitude that stands her in good stead when working under stressful conditions. Nandi has been a vault of innovative preparing two exhibitions which were part To these six promising young people ideas on how to turn things around at of the African National Congress Centenary we say, if you retain the work ethic and Bergheil Museum through outreach Exhibitions Series we were fortunate to enthusiasm you displayed and continue to and in-reach activities. She has acquitted have in our midst Thabisile Nxumalo and pull your weight as you did, the world will be herself in an outstanding manner as part of Sakhile Mhlongo; fi ne arts students in their your oyster and your sense of initiative and the Local History Museums’ team. She is third year of study at the Durban University diligence will carry you on the crest of the dedicated, driven, motivated, hardworking, of Technology. Thabile and Sakhile were wave for many years to come. We wish you always willing to assist, has a positive outlook introduced to museum work through well and hope that you have been as much on things, and is not scared to plunge visits to various museums in Durban which enriched by your exposure to our museums into unfamiliar territories. She has always included a visit to the “All fi red up Exhibition” as we have been by your presence. Your displayed a positive attitude when given at the Durban Art Gallery. They also visited uninhibited ideas and indefatigable energy work to do and always did it to the best various museums in Pietermaritzburg and hunger for knowledge and development of her ability. She has been exemplary with including the Tatham Art Gallery where have been enormously refreshing. her signifi cant contribution in increasing the education staff kindly offered a guided tour of Keep it up and all of the best. u visitors’ fi gures at Bergtheil Museum. Always current exhibitions. Each student produced willing to volunteer on various tasks such as a powerpoint presentation on the history of taking minutes at meetings and taking a lead museums which concluded their induction in preparations for various events. A good to museums and which enabled them to team player and a highly sociable individual. refl ect on the development of museums. Lihle quietly made her mark at Port Their presence was brief but their impact Natal Maritime Museum. Her disposition profound and far outlived their presence. toward visitors and school groups Taking to the marathon preparations for NEW BROOM always refl ected a well thought out plan; Seme and Lembede exhibition, like fi sh The LHM family is pleased to welcome systematically managing large groups and would to water, they exerted themselves Nhlanhla Nkobi, our new Education communicating in a clear and accessible way beyond our expectations. In a short Offi cer who joined us this month. We manner. A bright young lady and very span of time Sakhile produced outstanding look forward to a productive and happy enthusiastic about her future; her attitude acrylic on canvass portraits of Pixley working relationship. They say,“new toward the public is of a high standard as is ka Isaka Seme and Anton Muziwakhe brooms sweep clean”, we therefore say: her bearing. Lembede founding members of the African Carpe diem Mr Nkobi! In the same breath, one must make National Congress and African National mention of the two in-service trainees who Congress Youth League respectively. Page 50, from left to right: LHM Interns, Khanyi Mfayela, Nandi Hlatshwayo, Lihle Ndlovu and had a short stint with us from 28 May to 22 Thabile produced marvellous prints which Zamamthembu Mthembu. resonated with the theme of the Pixley ka June 2012. As we were frantically working Top right: Two in-service trainees, Thabile against the clock conceptualising and Isaka Seme exhibition. Nxumalo and Sakhile Mhlongo.

LocalLocal HistoryHistory MuseumsMuseums -- DurbanDurban 51 52 UMLANDO • December 2012