Legacy of Imonti spelt out in book
A LUCKY handful of East Londoners were given an exciting glimpse into the city's untold history last Thursday during the launch of Professor Les Bank and Mxolisi KQebeyi’s new book, Imonti Modern.
Joining the co-authors were BCM Development Agency (BCMDA) CEO Bulumko Nelana, author Lawrence Tutu and anti-apartheid activist Malcolm Dyani
Described as the “Black Panther of East London” by Ndzwana Makaula, chairman of the Black Managers Forum (BMF) and the night's programme director, the book explores the history of the African and coloured communities in Duncan Village and the surrounding areas during the 1950s and '60s. This fascinating history is punctuated with many personal contributions from locals living in and around Duncan Village.
Whether it is recounting events as major as the East Bank Massacre of 1952 where more than 200 locals were killed by police or something as simple as a photograph of a family enjoying their day off, Imonti Modern does its best to capture all sides of East London – the good and the bad – and paints a picture of a city full of life and energy.
The rich historical legacy that fills the book, was completed in two stages. The first being between 1999 and 2001 when a research team – of which Prof Banks formed part – investigated claims for state compensation as part of the Mandatory Restitution Act of 1996.
The second stage was another research project in 2015, funded by the National Heritage Council. With this book, the authors hope to expose readers to the largely ignored stories that have helped build this city. To quote Qebeyi, it is about “the preservation of our history, the history of East London”.