Remembering the fallen of Munsieville in 1964
While the country celebrated Youth Day on June 16, the municipality also remembered the execution of the Munsieville Four.
June 16 is nationally celebrated as Youth Day and a commemoration of the youth of Soweto who rose to fight for their rights in 1976. Closer to home in 1964 that fateful day, saw another tragedy, that of the execution of the Munsieville Four.
The Pan Africanist Congress quartet of Josiah Mocumi, Richard Motsoahae, Petrus Ntshole, and Thomas Molatlhegi were convicted in 1964 for disarming and killing a policeman in one of their Poqo (PAC’s military wing) operations meant to overthrow the oppressive apartheid regime.
A statement from Mogale City Local Municipality said that understanding the rich struggle history and deep-rooted tourism potential of Mogale City’s Munsieville township, the Executive Mayor of Mogale City Councillor Danny Thupane and key stakeholders have been working on a way to uncover this history.
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“The occasion of Youth Month and June 16 was thus an opportune moment to dig up this yore by not just commemorating those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country but also uncover the tourism potential of Munsieville, coupled with other premier tourism experiences in our city.”
In executing the Munsieville leg of a well-conceived plan to develop and launch a Liberation Heritage Route, the mayor held a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of these four fallen heroes.
The event held was held on a cold morning and attended by guests from far and wide including families of the quartet and other key role-players in making the tourism route a reality.
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Thupane emphasised the importance of celebrating the sacrifices of the icons in his address. He pleaded with the Munsieville community to learn, know and protect their history, which he said significantly added to the wealth of Mogale City’s heritage and tourism offering.
He explained that this will form part of the intended Liberation Heritage Route that spans the ages, from the evolution of mankind to the establishment of Munsieville. The route will include the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and Munsieville’s Exit House, the Desmond Tutu childhood home, and a memorial stone for the Munsieville Four. With this coming to fruition, Munsieville is not only set to see an influx of tourists but also create jobs, businesses, and other opportunities for the township’s youth.
Mayoral spokesperson Nkosana Zali closed off the ceremony by thanking the attendees for their presence and the municipality for assisting the families with a seamless exhumation and reburial process.
