Gugulethu, one of Cape Town’s oldest townships, is expected to unveil a new monument later this year to preserve its history.
The Gugulethu Memorial Monument, which is going to be erected at the corner of NY1 and NY108, is expected to be unveiled on Thursday 16 November.
Dr Mzwandile Plaatjie, the Gugulethu Memorial Monument Steering Committee chair, said the aim is to celebrate the community involvement in developing the area. He said they want to create their own identity. “Our aim is to unite all the people of Gugulethu. We want to appreciate the role they play in developing the area. In many instances, only a few individuals within the area are recognised. But now, we want to recognise everyone who took part in the transformation of this area,” said Plaatjie. He stated that there are many historical events that occurred in the area which are not recognised.
“The reason we chose the corner of Steve Biko and Klipfontein roads is that that was where about 300 men from Gugulethu, Nyanga East and other neighbouring areas were gathered before they moved to Langa to join the march that was led by Philip Kgosana to Cape Town in March 1960. And during the apartheid era, there were two entrances in Gugulethu, at the corners of NY108 and NY6 and the other entrance was near Gxalaba when approaching the Gugulethu Cemetery.
“People who came to Gugulethu were given permission to enter and time duration. If a person overstayed, he or she would be arrested and fined,” said Plaatjiee, adding that there are a lot of untold stories that are going to be revealed during the unveiling of the monument. He stated that they want to write their history on their own.
He said there was a lot of public participation that was held during the process. “Even this coming month, on Saturday 14 October, a motorcade will distribute pamphlets to the community to inform them about the event. Our last public participation meeting will be on Saturday 28 October to finalise everything,” said Plaatjie.