The year 2010 marks the 26th anniversary of the Vaal Uprising, which took place on the 3rd September 1984. To commemorate this heroic day, the Sedibeng District Municipality together with its communities lead a commemoration to honour the martyrs of our struggle towards freedom and democracy.
The commemoration programme which was held under the theme “Together with our communities – Final push towards reclaiming our heritage,” ran from the 2nd September to the 3rd September 2010. The programme started with a Memorial Lecture, which was held at the former Teacher’s College in Sebokeng. The purpose of this lecture was to educate the community on the events that transpired during the uprising and to make the people of Sedibeng recognise the contribution that this historic event made to achieving freedom as a nation and the natural price it had on the many lives that were affected, some of them being the Sharpeville Six Trialists. The activists invited were Advocate Gcina Malindi, sentenced to Robben Island for ten years; Isabella ‘Connie’ Letlake - Vaal Civic Association; and esteemed poet Don Mattera, who recited a poem written for the Vaal Uprising commemoration.
The last leg of the commemoration presented a photo exhibition of the Vaal Uprising riots and a documentary that shined light on the global citizen’s movement that took place in South Africa’s apartheid regime. The documentary was presented by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation in partnership with the SABC.
The focus of the day was then turned to the rally, which was held at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex. The Executive Mayor, Cllr Mahole Simon Mofokeng addressed the crowds present. In his address to the media, the Executive Mayor elaborated on the Municipality’s plans to capture and preserve the history of the Vaal, through photography, cinematography and archive technology. He further challenged the communities of the Vaal to put together historical books that will tell these stories to the children of tomorrow.
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