Heritage celebrated – history behind the Delmas Treason Trial Monument
A monument was unveiled at the Delmas Magistrates Court on Saturday, March 3, 2012 and it has been developed to honour the memory of these trialists and to preserve the popular Delmas Treason Trial.
The Delmas Magistrate’s Court is well known for its history around the Treason Trial. The trial saw the prosecution of anti-apartheid activists.
The Delmas Treason Trial started in 1985 and ended in December of 1989, making it one of the longest trials in the judiciary history of South Africa.
Twenty-two anti apartheid activists including Frank Chikane, Mosiuoa Lekota and Popo Molefe, also known as the Big Three, were prosecuted under the apartheid regime’s security laws and tried for treason.
Other trialists were Mabuya Baleka, Oupa Hlomoka, Tebogo Moselane, Mohapi More, Gcinumuzi Malindi, Morake Mokoena, Tsietsi Mphuti, Naphtali Nkopane, Tebello Ramakgula, Bavumile Vilakazi, Sekwati Mokoena, Simon Nkoli, Pelamotse Thlopane, Serame Hlanyane, Thomas Manthata, Hlabeng Matlole, Maxala Vilakazi and Thabiso Ratsomo.
Eleven of the accused were found guilty and their sentences ranged from five to eleven years. Their sentences were overturned in 1989 after an appeal to the Supreme Court.
A monument was unveiled at the Delmas Magistrates Court on Saturday, March 3, 2012 and it has been developed to honour the memory of these trialists and to preserve the popular Delmas Treason Trial.
The monument features an anvil and hammer. The two symbols represent the mass movement, civic associations, women, youth, students, church and labour organisations and the armed struggle waged by the people against the apartheid regime.
The anvil and the hammer monument capture the triumph of human rights and justice over the apartheid system.
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An inscription on the monument reads: “Between the anvil of united mass action and the hammer of the armed struggle, we shall crush apartheid.”
These are words said by the late Nelson Mandela in 1976.
As reported in the Streeknuus, April 28, 2019 edition the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) launched the Nkangala District Resistance and Liberation Heritage Route at the Delmas Magistrates Court on March 23, 2019.
MTPA chairperson Thulani Nzima indicated that the primary purpose of this route is to honour all those who were involved in achieving freedom for the people of South Africa.
The Treason Trial Monument has since been included in the Nkangala District Resistance and Liberation Heritage Route.
The route is part of the Mpumalanga chapter of the National Liberation Heritage Route, spearheaded by the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation, to map out, document and preserve Mpumalanga routes to independence.
The monument was designed and built by The Library special projects and trinity sessions and is situated at the Delmas court and is accessible to the public during the week at normal court hours.
Sources: Wikipedia, The Library special projects, Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency and Learn and Teach.
