Pretoria - Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi in partnership with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) will lead the unveiling of the memorial site of the first African woman to be banished by the apartheid regime.
Late former regent chieftainess Mme Makwena Matlala will be honoured on Monday for her struggle against injustice and land dispossession under the apartheid regime.
The unveiling will take place at Bakone Traditional Council, Ga-Matlala, in Limpopo, under the theme “Remembering the Forgotten, Honouring Victims of Political Banishment in South Africa”.
Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi said banishment was one of many methods used by the colonial and apartheid governments to silence opponents who were opposed to their policies under the Bantu Authorities Act No 68 in 1951.
“Given her prominence as the first known African woman to be banished by the apartheid regime, unveiling and commemoration of the Burial and Memorial site of this unsung heroine is a fitting tribute as it culminates Women’s Month,” she said.
During her reign, Mme Makwena Matlala refused to accept the government’s betterment policies.
“The government then deposed Makwena Matlala as Chieftainess and later banished her to Temba in Hammanskraal, then to King Williamstown.
“Her banishment sparked a revolt among other local people. Subsequently, the apartheid government removed and banished over 50 people who were identified as supporters of Makwena Matlala in an attempt to quell the rising tide of discontent,”” the Department of Arts and Culture said. – SAnews.gov.za
