It has been nearly 30 years since South Africa was said to have got her freedom. It is surprising and so strange that this so-called “freedom” has done little to close past gaps, especially for those who are the majority.
What causes this are challenges that the democratic government is facing. To mention the few painful ongoing power outrages, load shedding, corruption in government and maintenance of Exclusive Apartheid Spatial Planning.
Here in the Drakenstein Municipality it seems that it is not surprising at all for the authorities of today to continue and keep the symbols of the then dark past.
We also seem comfortable and confident to forget those who contributed to the fight against the previous despotic regime in which the municipalities (and its council) were used as instruments to enforce those cruel laws.
This is an undeniable historical fact.
For example, here in Drakenstein in the November 1959 the then minister ordered the Paarl Council of those years to put a banning order on Mother Elizabeth Rocky Mafikeng due to her belief that all people, of all colours and creeds, are God’s creation, and they should all live in peace and harmony in a just and free society.
Hence, the then Paarl Council didn’t hesitate to separate Mama Elizabeth from her family and the town she dearly loved.
It is shocking when, today, Mama uElizabeth is deliberately obliterated from history of this town, and the present municipality and her authorities are covering this up by hiding her in some small street in Fairyland.
They use these tricks when they try to hide Mama Rocky from history, maybe it is because she is an African woman that her contribution is made so small by today’s municipality?
Let us also thank the PAC councillor Sindile Gravel for raising the name of Mother Elizabeth Rocky Mafikeng at the 2022 council meeting in December. She seems also to be forgotten by those who also claim to be members of her organisation.
To today’s municipality we only have this to say: history will judge you harshly for having denied the residents of this municipality an opportunity to genuinely reconcile. Your shallow understanding of history would one day haunt you, even in your graves. As history is known not to be forgetful.
Long live the spirit of true freedom that Mama Elizabeth Rocky Mafikeng epitomizes. One day you and many forgotten heroes of one town who were sent to the Pretoria Gallows – your voices will be heard!
