By: Lungisa Somtombo
The Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture together with the Department of Justice, Social Development and the National Lottery Commission held a provincial massacre summit in King Williams Town, Ginsburg at the Steve Biko Centre on Tuesday.
The Eastern Cape has been theatre to nine recorded massacres that form part of the struggle, the massacres include the Bulhoek massacre of May 24, 1921 in Ntabelanga, where more than 200 congregants were killed, others were arrested in the Northern Cape prison. Ngquza Hill massacre of June 6, 1960 in Flagstaff, where 11 people were killed, 28 were executed, others arrested. Egerton massacre of August 4, 1983 in Mdantsane, where 11 people were killed others injured and arrested. Uitenhage massacre of March 21, 1985 in Ngxanga Township, where 20 people were killed. Queenstown massacre of November 17, 1985 in Mlungisi Township, where 11 people were killed others were injured and arrested. Duncan Village massacre of August 11, 1985 in Duncan Village, where 19 people were killed. Aliwal North massacre of August 23, 1985 in Dukathole Township, where 24 people were killed others injured and arrested. Northern Areas massacre of August 6, 1990 in Port Elizabeth, where 59 people were killed others were injured and arrested. Bhisho massacre of September 7, 1992 in Bhisho where 28 people were killed.
Speaking on behalf of the DSRAC MEC Bulelwa Tunyiswa who had not arrived at the time, head of department Mr Mzolisi Matutu said, the purpose of this session is to create space and a platform for engagement between government, massacre committees and other stakeholders so that they could be on the same page and also to use this space to consolidate the plans they have crafted in their own spaces in order to commemorate the nine massacres.
“The idea is to empower massacres with the critical knowledge and skills to establish and register non-profit organisations that would enable these committees to mobilise financial and material resources from public and private funding agencies that are out there to support community-based projects,” he said.
Social development NPO specialist Mrs Zoliswa Tshiki explained that NPO’s exist to address a public and a community need, she further advised the massacre committees that their objectives need to be aligned with the correct department and for applications they can visit her department’s website on www.dsd.gov.za.
Mr Mzikayise Mani from the National Lottery Commission said their role is to empower the NPOs from entry level and see that they grow and deliver their mandate.
The TRC Unit from the Department of Justice Mr Thapelo Mokushane said the TRC investigated all the massacres that happened between 1960 and 1994, they made hearings and concluded their work by making recommendations to the government.
He said the government then considered all the recommendation made by the TRC and grouped them into four categories namely, eruptions of symbols, monuments, medical benefits, and community rehabilitation.
Ngwako Ramphadi from the Department of Justice, who is directly responsible for victim support and legal services said, the victims and families of the deceased victims were assisted by receiving free health services from the department of health, the R30 000 reparation fund, psycho-social support for the trauma caused, assisted by social workers from social development, housing support for those who lost their houses and education assistance.
He explained that the education assistance gives a basic education bursary fund from grade-R to grade 12, which pays for school fees, uniform, boarding and transport. The assistance also has a higher education bursary fund that pays from the first year of varsity or college until the last year, with an extra 2 years for every course. The bursary pays for full tuition fee, transport, accommodation, text books, meals and studying devices.
He said applications for the education assistance open on the 1st of June until the 30th of September, the application forms are available at the department of justice regional offices, magistrate courts and on their website. He further urged people to apply as early as possible so that the process can be done on time.
Veteran politician and a member of the Duncan Village Massacre Dr Mike Basopu said they appreciate this initiative because it is the first of its kind as it is the first time where all the massacres are under one roof. He added that the department of Health and Human Settlements were supposed to form part of this initiative to ensure people that they will do as the department of Justice says.