GAUTENG CELEBRATES CHRIS HANI’S LEGACY ON FREEDOM DAY

By Gundo Maalakano

Gauteng Provincial Government together with City of Ekurhuleni celebrated Freedom

Day at Dawn Park Primary School grounds in Boksburg. The day was also used to remember the late freedom activist stalwart Chris Thembisile Hani, who was killed during the month of April in 1993.

Freedom Day was celebrated under the theme

“The Year of Charlotte Maxeke: the meaning

of Freedom under COVID-19”, in recognition of the contribution made by Mme Maxeke in the course for Freedom. The theme also recognises the continued effect of COVID-19 on day-to-day lives, and the extent to which the COVID-19 social reality has muted certain components of our civil liberties, even as the nation professes to be free and liberated.

The day started with a 2,7km walk that passed through the shops where Chris Hani went to buy newspapers moments before his assassination as he returned home. A wreath laying ceremony took place at the Chris Hani Museum, located at the house Hani used to live in.

The day ended with a formal and entertainment programme at Dawn Park Primary School grounds. In attendance where Ekurhuleni MMC for Community Safety Nomadlozi Nkosi,

Dawn Park learners, IsiNdebele traditional leaders, BrandSA, IEC and a few hundreds of people.

Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms. Mbali Hlophe addressed those in attendance, calling artists to use their music to raise the consciousness of young people in society.

“Artists have critical power. They have what we call soft power. Artists should produce songs that raise our national consciousness,” said Hlophe.

She also said artists have the power to educate the youth about the socio-economic issues affecting the country, with reference to veteran kwaito artist and producer Arthur Mafokate’s Kaffir and legendary musician Letta Mbulu’s Not Yet Uhuru tracks to highlight her message.

“Arthur’s song tells about how the white minority oppressed blacks under apartheid. Letta’s song reminds us that we still have a long road ahead to get freedom in our country. It is a problem that we can’t find songs like these today in order for us to raise our consciousness”, concluded Hlophe.

Gospel artist Kholeka Dabula, Masakandi legend Ihashi Elimhlophe, singer Vusi Nova and rapper Kwesta entertained the crowd.