Family members of African liberation heroes – including Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe – gathered at the official unveiling of Makana Municipality’s permanent exhibition of struggle hero portraits.
Family members of African liberation heroes – including Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe – gathered at the official unveiling of Makana Municipality’s permanent exhibition of struggle hero portraits.
The municipality invited descendants of the heroes and Premier Noxolo Kiviet to unveil the R70 000 heritage project on Thursday 26 September.
Municipal spokesperson Mncedisi Boma said other prominent families in attendance were relatives of Raymond Mhlaba, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and Helen Suzman.
Faces lining the city hall foyer will now include King Maxhobayakhawuleza Sandile, Chief Albert Luthuli, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Chris Hani, Joe Slovo, Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Robert Sobukwe, Steve Biko, Helen Suzman, Julius Nyerere, Raymond Mhlaba, Mahatma Gandhi, Govan Mbeki, FW De Klerk and Robert Mugabe.
Acknowledging some people’s concerns about Mugabe’s status as a hero, Boma said, "We have reasons why we have chosen leaders like Robert Mugabe. He is there because of his outstanding leadership on the African continent. The people of Zimbabwe are still confirming him as their president even today."
Boma told Grocott's Mail the exhibition is the first phase of a permanent project to celebrate the champions of our country’s hard-won freedom.
"The objective of this project is to acknowledge the leadership provided by those heroes during the testing times," Boma said. "When entering this institution of governance we want the current leadership to understand that there were people who fought for where we are today."
The framed portraits have been placed in the downstairs foyer of city hall to inspire those who enter the building to do better.
Making sure not to leave anyone out, Boma insisted that the great men and women in the foyer were only the first to be honoured in the project.
"Some of the heroes may not appear on the wall now… We acknowledge that a number of leaders are not there.
"We will have an interpretation centre at Egazini with all the leaders – even our local leaders like your Vuyo Moleli, Siphiwo Mazwayi, Magcinandile Mtyobeli and Neil Aggett," Boma said.
