The 1976 Soweto uprising against Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools has a much deeper Middelburg footprint than residents could ever imagine.

The involvement of 27 Middelburg-born liberation leaders in democracy will take centre stage with the release of former mayor Ben Mokoena’s book, titled Middelburg: A Proud Contribution to the National Liberation Struggle, next week in Mhluzi.

Mokoena was one of the 1976 youth leaders behind the uprising after joining both the Mhluzi Students’ Organisation and Black Consciousness Movement in 1973.

In 1976, after the uprising, Mokoena went into exile at the age of 20, only returning in 1990 ahead of the first democratic elections in 1994.

Mokoena was chosen as mayor of the town’s historic transitional council, with Louis Koster as chairman of the executive committee.

The partnership of 10 statutory representatives and 10 non-statutory representatives was the country’s first of its kind and was replicated in other municipalities across the nation.

Mokoena not only documents his own involvement but also that of 27 other locals, like professors Pitika Ntuli and Oscar Mokubung Nkomo, Cowen Ntuli, and Bhimy Damane.

Descendants of those covered in Mokoena’s book, as well as living characters in the book, will be present at the launch.

Mokoena spent most of his days in exile in African countries like Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania.

Due to severe eczema and allergies, Mokoena made a brief trip to Bulgaria during exile for treatment.

Bulgarian allies, however, realised that Mokoena’s isolation from liberation movements on the ground in Africa was not conducive to his healing, resulting in his return.

Mokoena also became a member of the ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and was also instrumental in Zimbabwe’s independence.

The book profiles his fellow liberation heroes and the role they individually played in the birth of democracy.

The book will be launched at the Thandanani Old Age Home in Mhluzi.

Unfortunately, it is by invitation only, and copies of the book will be available directly after the launch.

Mokoena said he wrote the book to enshrine its characters in the annals of Middelburg history.

The Book coincides with the 50th celebrations of the 1976 Soweto youth uprising.

Its a book that every classroom must have.

• Mokoena will contect the local government elections alongside fellow former mayor Mike Masina under the banner of Hope of Residents.