Does the name Sipho Malaza ring a bell?
No? Malaza was a victim of the 1976 student riots in Kagiso. He died in Krugersdorp Prison due to injuries sustained when he was beaten severely by the apartheid police.
He died on 19 November 1977 – he was only 18 years old. How do you kill an 18-year-old for his involvement in the struggle against an unjust system? Malaza’s mother never recovered from the death of her son – thanks to the cruel and heartless apartheid police.
On 24 October an inaugural Sipho Malaza Lecture was held at Mosupatsela High School in Kagiso. The attendance was fair but unsatisfactory. As a matter of fact, it was disappointing. However, the lecture was very informative and interactive, though informal.
Bonaventure, as he popularly was known, was bright and intelligent. According to those who knew him, he was in the league of the father of the Black Consciousness Movement, Steve Bantu Biko, in terms of intellect. A born leader, he was also an avid reader and articulate.
Malishano Mogorosi-Moeketsi, an activist and former teacher, taught Malaza at Mosupatsela High School. When describing how Bonaventure died, Mogorosi-Moeketsi couldn’t contain herself and wept, saying he didn’t deserve to die like that. The mood turned sombre in the hall.
The former teacher raised a concern that Malaza’s role in the struggle against apartheid is yet to be recognised. She appealed to the authorities (who were not there) to at least name a school or street after him. Hopefully the message will reach the powers that be.
The sad part is that there was no photo of Malaza on display at the lecture.
Organisers have tried everything possible to get it but to no avail. The family seems to have no picture of him as well. So some of us don’t know what he looked like, except that he was handsome.
The lecture was organised by Bagale ba Mogale under the chairmanship of Obakeng Moiloa, Uhuru’s brother, the Deputy Speaker in the Gauteng Legislature. Bagale ba Mogale’s mission is to promote heritage in Mogale City. It is a non-profit organisation that has been existence for more than three years.
