MEDIA RELEASE
To All Editors
3 June 2016
Minister to address Ngquza Hill commemoration
The 56thanniversary commemoration of Ngquza Hill rebellion will take place on 6 June 2016 from 9am in Flagstaff, near Bizana in the Eastern Cape. The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa will address the commemoration. The CEO of the National Heritage Council, Adv Sonwabile Mancotywa, who contributed to the process of developing the site where the fallen heroes are buried into a heritage property and focal point will also deliver a message on the day.
“The narrative of the Ngquza Hill rebellion is occupying a valuable space in the total history of South Africa’s liberation heritage. This year, we are honoured to be part of the once lonely hill of Ngquza that has become one of South Africa’s premium heritage sites to represent a historic turning point in the country’s struggle for freedom. It has been many years of working with a willing community and their leaders”, says Adv Sonwabile Mancotywa.
A few years ago, the NHC started to spearhead the cause of recognizing historic events and sites that epitomise the freedom struggle of South Africa. Some iconic sitesincluding the Pondo Revolt Commemorative Site, also known as Ngquza Hill, have been adopted by various stakeholders for development. The Department of Arts and Culture made a massive infrastructure investment of a museum to the value of R15 million. The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in the Eastern Cape and the O R Tambo district Municipality have ensured that the Flagstaf area becomes one of the key heritage nodal points in the province.
Recentlyold photographs of amaMpondo horsemen during the 1960 rebellion of Ngquza Hill were retrieved from the archives of Mayibuye Centre of the University of Western Cape. These were discovered during a research conducted by the University of Fort Hare in conjunction with the National Heritage Council (NHC). This research will contribute to enriching the history and heritage of the Ngquza Hill.
Ends.
Editor’s notes:
In 1960, the lush hills of Ngquza in the Eastern Cape witnessed what is now one of South Africa’s historic landmarks of the liberation struggle. From that day, 6 June 1960, men and women fought for liberation without fear. This was their dedication to those who lost their lives at the foot of the Ngquza Hills. In 2005, the community of Ngquza decided to host an annual commemoration in honour of the local heroes that had died after the attack on amaMpondo men by the armed forces of the apartheid government. The men were protesting against the oppressive laws of the then government and would meet at this hill to strategise and mobilise. 11 people died on the spot and about 58 were injured. Some were arrested and sentenced to death by hanging. Their bodies were reburied at Ngquza Hill in 2003.
Mpondo horsemen riding into Bizana early 1960 (courtesy of Mayibuye Centre, UWC)
Mpondo horse men gathering outside Bizana in 1960, (courtesy of Mayibuye Centre, UWC)
Issued by:National Heritage Council (
Danny Goulkan (Communications Manager)
012 348 1663/ 072 952 2260/
Enquiries:Mohale Molotsi (PR Manager)
082706 6873
Page 1 of 3