Vaal Uprising - Our heroes, our stories least we forget

The 27th Anniversary in commemoration of Vaal Uprising took place this past weekend at Bophelong Stadium. The rally which is held annually was poorly attended this despite the municipality's effort in arranging buses to ferry residents from different areas and extensive marketing on local media. MMC Community Safety and SRAC&H, Cllr. Mmakgomo Raikane expressed her disappointment ''Through out the week we held meeting with relevant stakeholders and everything was arranged, I am shocked by the turn-out. We are going back to the drawing board and will make sure that such a thing never happens again.'' The Beach Party which was taking place slightly at the same time as the rally took the blame.

This year's event which went under the theme ''Reclaiming Our Heritage To Consolidate Governance'' is in recognition of selfless hero's and heroines who heeded a call on Monday the 3rd September 1984 to observe a stay-away in protest against the rent increases announced by the then-Lekoa Council. Protest marches took place in all townships in the Vaal, where two people died.

Charles Nhlapo, a resident of Bophelong relived the memories ''I dislike the word councillor because during the apartheid regime we fought a fierce fight against them and leaders, Piet Kornhoff being one of them. I still remember vividly, whenever we had a gathering, police would pounce on us and I would urge fellow comrades to remain strong as we indulged in hymns which would rescue us as it was mistaken for a church service. South Africa would not have been free from oppression if it wasn't of the uprising, even when we felt ill, going to the doctor was a risk because instead of receiving help police would be called and you will be arrested. We boycotted the rent as we took to the streets with placards written ''Asinamali Akubhadalwa'', he concluded with a revolutionary tune ''Mabayeke umhlaba wethu''.

Sedibeng District Municipality, Executive Mayor, Cllr. Simon Mahole Mofokeng said; ''We endeavor in making our heritage known, we call up-on writer's to avail themselves as we are about to publish a book which will entail the rich history of the Vaal; at this stage it's only a draft and we tossing around with titles that have yet to be confirmed. History is done through development and not resistance''.

Mofokeng acknowledged handful leaders who played a significant role in the history of the Vaal, this include among others Elizabeth Letanta, Simon Nkoli, Esau and Dorcas Raditsela, Jerry Tlhopane whom at once jumped ship to be an independent candidate during election time and Bavumile Herbert Vilakazi who was the convener for Sedibeng Region, first mayor in Ekurhuleni Metro and was also involved in the Delmas Trial.