Lim commemorates 1913 Natives Land Act

THE Polokwane International Airport was filled with activity last week when the department of rural development and land reform commemorated the Natives Land Act of 1913.

The week-long commemoration inc-luded an exhibition of photographs from that time.

The Limpopo chief director of the department of rural development and land reform, Tele Maphoto said the commemoration was a national event, which travelled throughout the country.

“The exhibition tells the story of the Natives Land Act of 1913 and its role in shaping the history of the country,” Maphoto said.

He said the department was satisfied by the fact that more than 9 000 Limpopo residents took part in the commemoration.

“It was touching for some old people who experienced the brutality first-hand. We decided to use the exhibition to commemorate the history of our country, instead of lectures that people forget easily,” he said.

The exhibition started on September 20 to 23 and has now moved to Nelspruit.

Guests at the exhibition included the minister for rural development and land reform, Gugile Nkwiti, premier Stanley Mathabatha and poet Don Matera.

Asked if the department had done enough in reversing the legacy of the act by returning the land to its rightful owners, Maphoto said his department was on track in making sure that the land was given back.

Johannes Mugovheli (75) who travelled from Shakadza in Vhembe to watch the exhibition said the whole set-up reminded him of the “olden days” when he was working at a mine in Johannesburg where people were removed from their homes. “It was painful,’ he said.

The commemoration marks 100 years since the act was formalised on June 19, 1913.