PAC remembers Masemola
Most of the speakers described Masemola, known as “The Tiger of Azania”, as one of the heroes who dedicated most of his life in the struggle against apartheid.
Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) Vosloorus branch commemorated 29 years of the death of their hero, Jafta Masemola, who died on April 17, 1990, seven months after his release from prison. He was imprisoned on Robben Island.
Members of the PAC gathered at the Vosloorus Civic Centre on April 14 for the commemoration after which they conducted a door-to-door election campaign, meeting members of the community and distributing pamphlets and party T-shirts.
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After the campaign, they proceeded to the PT Xulu Secondary School where a lecture about Masemola was delivered by the Vosloorus PAC branch secretary, Thomas Khabanyana.
Khabanyana said Masemola did not enjoy life with his family as he spent most of his time on Robben Island.
“Being arrested in July 1963, and released in October 1989 makes him the longest-serving prisoner in Robben Island with 29 years of incarceration.
“But very few people know about this history because little was said about him. It is like he never existed. But his contribution in the struggle against apartheid surpassed that of most of the so-called sung heroes we read about in books. He should be a leading historical figure, and learners in schools should be learning more about his role in freeing South Africans from apartheid. As PAC, we felt we should dedicate this month to him and honour him for setting the people of this country free,” said Khabanyana.
Khabanyana said he was not disappointed about the poor attendance of the commemoration.
“Most of our members attended the funeral service of the late Azanian People’s Liberation Army (Apla) cadre, Denis Kwinana, who died on April 7 after a long illness,” said Khabanyana.
He said another lecturer to take place on April 28 will be held.“We are encouraging people to attend in numbers to know more about the true heroes of the struggle against apartheid. More details about Masemola’s background and his role in the fight against apartheid will be told in details,” said Khabanyana.
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Local PAC branch organiser Senana Thobakgale said Masemola’s death left many unanswered questions.
“He died after his car had a tyre puncture on a freeway near Selby in Johannesburg after attending a PAC meeting. He stopped to fix the tyre but was hit by a truck. What upset us is that no proper investigation was undertaken, and no arrest made. Not even one person took responsibility for his death,” said Thobakgale.
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