News / Africa
Gukurahundi commemorations in Cape Town, South Africa
10 Jun 2016 at 12:50hrs | Views
A group of young people in deep meditative prayer 09/06/2016, Cape Town, SA
Yesterday, 9th June 2016 Siphesakhe Theatre Group which has written a gukurahundi play called uLoyiko, held a commemoration for the gukurahundi genocide victims at Samora Machel Community Hall in Cape Town, South Africa.
More than 50 young South Africans attended the Gukurahundi commemoration. Mr Yanga Mhluzi stated that it was all tears when he delivered a lecture on the gukurahundi genocide. Most of the young people present could not believe that such a dastard and barbaric act could happen at their next door neighbour and no one gets held accountable.
"Why were the Ndebeles being killed in Zimbabwe?" one of the young persons asked in disbelief. Mr Mhluzi explained to the gathering that in 1979 during the Zimbabwean liberation struggle ZANU PF a political party led by Robert Mugabe crafted a document which they termed The Grand Plan, this document spelt out how Ndebeles would be treated in a free Zimbabbwe, they will be driven back to South Africa where they came from, their culture, language would never be given any space, all education & employment opportunities will be given to Shonas only. Mr Mhluzi went on to explain that the gukurahundi system is still alive and kicking in Zimbabwe right now, Ndebele people are being displaced as they are discriminated against in all spheres of life. "I didn't even know it myself that the Mugabe regime committed genocide against the Ndebele people in Zimbabwe, but when I became aware of the genocide I was interested at knowing why it happened and why it was not being talked about" Mr Mhluzi said." I then started researching and read everything I laid my hands on regarding the genocide, since then I am no longer the same, the information traumatised and transformed me, I just wonder how much traumatised were the victims who experienced it first hand" Concluded Mr Mhluzi.
Mr Mhluzi stated that he told the crowd about how the Zimbabwean government is denying victims to hold any commemorations in Zimbabwe, he cited the example of a cultural group called Ibhetshu likaZulu which has been denied to organise the commemorations.
When asked why they were doing the play- uloyiko, Mr Mhluzi stated that ZAPU/ZIPRA and ANC/Umkhontowesizwe fought side by side to liberate the two countries, he went on to say that after researching about the gukurahundi genocide he instantly knew that he needed to do something regardless of how small the contribution might be. "it is more than 30 years since the genocide, people are still waiting to re-bury their loved ones, the mass graves in Matebeleland should be exhumed and the loved ones given a decent burial" Mr Mthunzi said.
Mr Mthunzi said that the South African young people vowed to campaign against the gukurahundi genocide until the government of Zimbabwe is brought to justice. "The commemoration event was filled with prayerful songs and poems" Mr Mhluzi concluded.
On the 25th June 2016 Siphesakhe Threatre Group will be launching its Gukurahundi Play called Loyiko in the heart of Johannesburg at Hilbrow Theatre where hundreds of people are expected to attend.
You can contact them directly at: loyikotheatreplay@gmail.com or call 0027717548206/0027627649602 and 0027849603154.
More than 50 young South Africans attended the Gukurahundi commemoration. Mr Yanga Mhluzi stated that it was all tears when he delivered a lecture on the gukurahundi genocide. Most of the young people present could not believe that such a dastard and barbaric act could happen at their next door neighbour and no one gets held accountable.
"Why were the Ndebeles being killed in Zimbabwe?" one of the young persons asked in disbelief. Mr Mhluzi explained to the gathering that in 1979 during the Zimbabwean liberation struggle ZANU PF a political party led by Robert Mugabe crafted a document which they termed The Grand Plan, this document spelt out how Ndebeles would be treated in a free Zimbabbwe, they will be driven back to South Africa where they came from, their culture, language would never be given any space, all education & employment opportunities will be given to Shonas only. Mr Mhluzi went on to explain that the gukurahundi system is still alive and kicking in Zimbabwe right now, Ndebele people are being displaced as they are discriminated against in all spheres of life. "I didn't even know it myself that the Mugabe regime committed genocide against the Ndebele people in Zimbabwe, but when I became aware of the genocide I was interested at knowing why it happened and why it was not being talked about" Mr Mhluzi said." I then started researching and read everything I laid my hands on regarding the genocide, since then I am no longer the same, the information traumatised and transformed me, I just wonder how much traumatised were the victims who experienced it first hand" Concluded Mr Mhluzi.
Mr Mhluzi stated that he told the crowd about how the Zimbabwean government is denying victims to hold any commemorations in Zimbabwe, he cited the example of a cultural group called Ibhetshu likaZulu which has been denied to organise the commemorations.
When asked why they were doing the play- uloyiko, Mr Mhluzi stated that ZAPU/ZIPRA and ANC/Umkhontowesizwe fought side by side to liberate the two countries, he went on to say that after researching about the gukurahundi genocide he instantly knew that he needed to do something regardless of how small the contribution might be. "it is more than 30 years since the genocide, people are still waiting to re-bury their loved ones, the mass graves in Matebeleland should be exhumed and the loved ones given a decent burial" Mr Mthunzi said.
Mr Mthunzi said that the South African young people vowed to campaign against the gukurahundi genocide until the government of Zimbabwe is brought to justice. "The commemoration event was filled with prayerful songs and poems" Mr Mhluzi concluded.
On the 25th June 2016 Siphesakhe Threatre Group will be launching its Gukurahundi Play called Loyiko in the heart of Johannesburg at Hilbrow Theatre where hundreds of people are expected to attend.
You can contact them directly at: loyikotheatreplay@gmail.com or call 0027717548206/0027627649602 and 0027849603154.
Source - Thulani Nkala
