HERITAGE MONTH
E R T A E H T I H P M A JABULANI HERITAGE PROJECT e phitheatre back to lif
Bringing the iconic am
T
he City of Johannesburg’s property agent, Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), through its township revitalisation programme, has started the revamp of the iconic Jabulani Amphitheatre. A worthy investment as the Amphitheatre holds great historical value and memories of our past. It was here, on February 10 1985, that Nelson Mandela’s daughter Zindzi read a defiant, smuggled message from her father from Pollsmoor Prison, in which he refused PW Botha’s offer of conditional release from prison if he renounced violence. This message was read to a roaring audience of thousands of black South Africans who had filled the Amphitheatre to capacity, with others crowded outside the walls.
1952 – The Jabulani Amphitheatre was built in 1952 by the West Rand Administration Board (WRAB) as a venue for hosting cultural and sporting events. It was, for many years, the only facility in the area that could accommodate large gatherings. One of the few leisure facilities in Soweto during the apartheid years, and a place of political significance, it was also one of only a few state structures that was spared during the June 16 Student Uprising, in 1976. 1960’s - During the 1960s, this was the venue for Jazz
Festivals, which then turned into the Soweto National Jazz Festival. Local bands such as “The Beaters”, led by Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse - later renamed ‘Harare” after their successful tour of Zimbabwe - mesmerised audiences during their concerts. Blondie Makhene and his brother Papa and the Black Hawks also played to full capacity at the Amphitheatre. Touring African American groups such as The Staple Singer and Dobbie Gray also performed here and Gospel Festivals, featuring singers such as Rebecca Malope and Lundi brought our people together.
Woodstock Bins Mix - Jabulani Amphitheatre, Soweto 1980
1970’s – Boxing promoters staged big tournaments featuring local champions such as Norman “Pangaman” Sekgapane and Anthony “Blue Jaguar” Morodi. Simon “Tap-Tap” Makhathini from Stanger, KwaZulu Natal was knocked out by David Love from USA in this venue. During this fight, there was a section, located high above the stairs, allocated to radio stations broadcasting the event to listeners worldwide. Among other sporting events, the Soweto Basketball Association staged their tournaments at the site. Local community members would normally use the venue as a gymnasium space for body building training. During Easter holidays members of various church denominations from different provinces converged at the Amphitheatre to pray for the sick, for stability in the country and for peace between Inkatha Freedom Party members and ANC supporters.
The construction site of the Jabulani Amphitheatre
26
www.spotongmag.co.za
