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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