Eastern Cape government to commemorate frontier wars

Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane said the province would hold an annual commemoration of the frontier wars fought over a period of 100 years in the province.

Mabuyane announced this during a Daily Dispatch event in partnership with The Herald at the East London City Hall on Monday.

The event, which was organised together with the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, was meant to commemorate the “150th year of Nkosi Maqoma”.

Nkosi Jongumsobomvu Maqoma led his people in numerous battles against the colonial powers in defence of his land.

Mabuyane was one of the speakers at the dialogue.

“Ours was a freedom delivered in blood and tears,” he said , reflecting on the wars fought for over 100 years.

“That’s why we have said, starting from this year, we will embark on a programme of commemorating these frontier wars annually, as government [and the house of traditional leaders].”

He said President Cyril Ramaphosa had agreed to be part of the first one.

Mabuyane said Maqoma’s struggle was a reminder that the country’s freedom was won in blood and tears.

Reflecting on a national shutdown led by the opposition EFF on Monday, Mabuyane said he was happy there were no incidents in the province, as the Eastern Cape was not a place “for madness”.

“We have scars of colonialism, we have scars of apartheid,” he said.

“The fact that we are still in the struggle today and we are principled, consistent and clear with whatever we are doing, is simple because of the courage and inspiration that we draw from the likes of Jongumsobomvu and others, fighting a war of 100 years.

“We are a year from celebrating 30 years of freedom and democracy in our country.

“This will mark three decades of our strides as the people of SA to define for ourselves the life of freedom, justice and equality for all.”

Also present at the dialogue was Nkosi Jongikwezi Maqoma, from the Jongumsobomvu Maqoma Legacy Trust who is a descendant of Maqoma and decried the state of the last resting place of Maqoma.

He said the national government had made several promises about the site but nothing had been done.

“We would like the province to follow up on this.”

He said he was happy that Maqoma was being celebrated.

Speaking about research work being done on Maqoma, he urged researchers to first approach the family to get the correct details.

He further detailed that he was personally struggling, saying he should not be “hungry”.

“Jongumfula died with nothing.

“Maybe I must also die with nothing.

“I am raising this ... you are saying it’s Human Rights Day, where are my rights?” he said.

Maqoma was described as a hero by several speakers, with Dr Jongi Klaas, director at the Ilima Heritage Institute, suggesting a statue of Maqoma be erected in Mthontsi, near Fort Beaufort (renamed KwaMaqoma this month), and a heritage site be created there as a place of remembrance.