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In Remembrance of Lilian ‘Lily’ Diedericks

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Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane will on Thursday, 13 January 2022, lead a provincial programme of remembrance and thanksgiving in honour of the late Gqeberha-based liberation struggle activist Mama Lilian ‘Lily’ Diedericks.
 
A burial of remains ceremony at the Paapenkuil Cemetary in Gelvandale, Gqeberha, followed by an unveiling of a memorial tombstone at Heroes Acre, also in Gelvandale, will kick-start a four-part-programme of activities, reflecting on the life and times of the late trade unionist, in and around Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM).
 
Premier Mabuyane will also be unveiling a bust statue of the late Diedericks, who was born in Gqeberha in 1925, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro office buildings, which was renamed Lillian Diedricks Building (former Brister House) in 2009.
 
A founding member of the Federation of South African Women, Diedericks was an active shop steward and was one of four women who led the Women’s March on the Union buildings to oppose the pass laws in 1956, alongside liberation struggle stalwarts Rahima Moosa, Helen Joseph, Lilian Ngoyi and Sophia De Bruyn.
 
Following a protest against the mayor of the then Port Elizabeth in 1956, Diedericks was arrested for treason, along with Frances Baard and Florence Matomela.
 
They were incarcerated at the Old Fort Prison in Johannesburg, where the late liberation struggle icon Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had also been detained, they were acquitted five years later in 1961.
 
Diedericks was banned by the apartheid government, from 1967 to 1968.
 
Mama Diedericks was recently honoured with the renaming of the official seat of the Premier of the Eastern Cape Province, State House, in Bhisho, to her namesake as the ‘Lilian Diedericks House’ in recognition of her contribution to the attainment of freedom and democracy in South Africa.
 
Premier Mabuyane will also lead a remembrance service in honour of the recipient of The Order of Luthuli in Silver, which was awarded by His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018 in recognition of, ‘’her excellent contribution to the fight for the liberation of all South Africans and women in particular’’.
 
‘’In the spirit of inclusivity, social cohesion and nation-building it is indeed of critical importance, that as we appreciate the democratic gains we all enjoy in South Africa today, and as we paint the canvas of our shared history and future we remember that the defeat of Apartheid and advent of democracy 28 years ago, was not as a consequence of any one individual, racial grouping or gender.’’
 
‘’Our liberation and freedom, was achieved through the toil of tears, blood and sweat of ordinary men, women and youths from across the length and breadth of our country, a noble and just struggle for freedom and equality transcendent of  the racial, cultural, ethnic and geographic divides which make up the fabric of our society and its rich tapestry.’’
 
‘’It is therefore fitting that as we seek to inspire our people, particularly the youth, to take up the cudgels of serving others as she did, to emulate Mama Diedericks’s motto in life; ‘to be servants at all times and never make excuses, as the province forges ahead in building the Eastern Cape we want.’’’, added Premier Mabuyane. Mama Diedericks passed away at the age of 96 on Tuesday, 21 December 2021 at her home in Gelvandale, Gqeberha.
 
May her soul rest in peace.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.