Ramaphosa set to grace Bulhoek centenary

President Cyril Ramophosa is expected to attend the centenary commemoration of the Bulhoek Massacre on May 24.

The mMassacre occurred on May 24 1924, when more than

200 members of the Church of God and Saints of Christ were killed in open fire by the SA police.

Former president Thabo Mbeki is also expected to address one of the build-up events.

Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) mayor Wongama Gela announced the news at a media briefing on Wednesday, when he outlined plans for the commemoration.

Premier Oscar Mabuyane is set to launch the programme on Tuesday next week.

The main event is intended to remind South Africans about the sacrifices made by people during the struggle to give birth to a democratic country.

CHDM is collaborating with the Church of God and Saints of Christ, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality and department of sport, art, recreation & culture (DSRAC) to make the memorial a success.

The anniversary will be commemorated under the theme “The faith and resilience of our forebears still living on in the year of Charlotte Maxeke”.

Gela said: “May 24 will mark 100 years since the senseless and brutal murder of Israelites who were gunned down at Bulhoek by the South African Police of the oppressive regime.

“The massacre claimed the lives of many people after they refused to disperse from Ntabelanga where they had squatted for some time, fighting against land dispossession.

“Live ammunition was used, killing more than 200 people, 100 were wounded, while 141 were arrested, including Enoch Mgijima and his sons.”

Gela said the CHDM had identified legacy projects in different parts of the district, including EMLM, for this financial year. Several of these were underway, including the paving and upgrading of streets, as well as the N6 project.

“This project will focus on repairing and replacement of traffic lights, the installation of solar street lights and concrete containers with indigenous shrubs,” he said.

The refuse bins were installed earlier this month.

Other features included the signage, concrete benches and fencing of public gardens, and the resuscitation of the Chris Hani Hexagon and water fountain, which will also have a big screen installed.

Church of God and Saints of Christ spokesperson elder Thulani Sagela said the church was working to make the event monumental.