Tree planted to commemorate Can Themba’s life and work

SOPHIATOWN – On the 50th anniversary of his death, an oak tree is planted in remembrance of Can Themba.

September 28, 2017

Roxy de Villiers 1 minute read

Can Themba's daughter, Yvonne, picks up a spade to cover the roots of the tree planted in remembrance of her late father.

SOPHIATOWN – Distinguished journalist and prose fiction writer, Canodoce ‘Can’ Themba was commemorated in the Sophiatown community.

Themba wrote along Drum Magazine journalists Lewis Nkosi and Nat Nakasa in pre-1994 South Africa. The literary giant depicted the harsh conditions of non-white South Africans under the apartheid regime.

An emotional Yvonne Themba on the 50th anniversary of her father’s death.

To commemorate Themba on the 50th anniversary of his death, on 8 September an oak tree was planted at the Christ the King Anglican Church in Sophiatown.

Jarryd Coetsee, director of The Suit, a film based on Themba’s short story of the same name, organised the event.

Watch the trailer here:

“Much of Can Themba’s work serves as a dire warning. We are reminded that our young democracy is like a tree whose seed of unity was planted in the strong foundation of constitutionalism,” Coetsee said.

Themba’s daughter, Yvonne made a special appearance on the day and was given an opportunity to throw the first spade of soil over the tree’s roots.

Yvonne was one year old when her father died which is the equivalent of 488 days and said, “I’m hoping this tree is going to grow up and be 488 years old and more.”