The second All-in African Conference commemorative walk

This year marks the 61st anniversary of the All-in African Conference held on March 25 and 26, 1961. This major historical event took place at the Arya Samaj Hall, now known as Manaye Hall in Imbali.

After the original venue (Local Health Commission now known as kwaPoyinandi) was discovered to have been bugged by the Saps special branch, an alternative venue, the Arya Samaj Hall, now known as Manaye Hall, was found. Delegates had to walk from the original venue to the alternative venue.

The conference was in response to the National Party’s intention, after holding a whites-only referendum, to proclaim South Africa a white republic on May 31 of the same year, which would intensify policies of racial oppression against non-whites. The conference called for “one man, one vote” and coined the slogan “Amandla Awethu”.

Nelson Mandela made a surprise appearance at the conference attended by 1 400 delegates from all social formations in Southern Africa. The conference marked the last time that Mandela addressed a public gathering as a free man before his arrest outside Howick on August 5, 1962.

The second All-in African annual walk, commemorating the original walk, will take place this Friday, April 1. The walk will start at kwaPoyinandi Hall and finish at Manaye Hall. Registration is at 7am at kwaPoyinandi Hall.

| Maritzburg SUN