The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality officials and departments are EMPLOYED to serve ALL residents of our metro without fear or favour. As part of this brief they should demonstrate a dedication to their tasks and only make utterances that are devoid of political slant or inclination. Their sole purpose is to make the metro; “A better place to live for all.”
OK I concede that the confusion may come in when a well known political party has as it’s pay-off line; “A better life for all“!
How would you feel if our Municipality ONLY promoted one business/church/sport or other community activity to the detriment of all others? Peeved I am sure.
So we come to the latest press release from the Nelson Mandela Bay Communications department that has a distinct political bias towards only ONE political party – see below:
Wreath-laying ceremony to mark 102nd year of the oldest liberation movement
A wreath-laying ceremony at the graves of prominent South African leaders, Oom Ray Mhlaba, Oom Govan Mbeki and Mama Florence Matomela, will be held tomorrow (17 January) at the Zwide Cemetery from 10am.
This important event takes place during the 102nd anniversary of the African National Congress, the oldest liberation movement in Africa, and the 20th celebration of a democratic and prosperous South Africa.
Senior officials from the ANC Nelson Mandela Region and the municipality will officiate at the event.
The Champion Galela Cluster will also announce an important programme that will be implemented in the area.
Champion Galela, after whom the cluster is named, and two other Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organization (PEBCO) members Sipho Hashe and Qaqawuli Godolozi were abducted by Apartheid Security Police at the Port Elizabeth Airport on May 8, 1985.
The PEBCO 3, as they are known, was taken to Post Chalmers near Cradock where they were interrogated, beaten and finally strangled.
Their remains were thrown into the nearby Fish River and later reburied by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality at the Zwide Cemetery.
I am sure that the ratepayers who belong to political parties such as COPE, DA, PAC, SACP, UDM etc. all feel a litle miffed that their money is being spent to advertise the ANC – especially in this election year!
For the record:
The Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organisation Three or PEBCO Three story began on 8 May 1985 when Sipho Hashe, Champion Galela, and Qaqawuli Godolozi were abducted by security police.
The Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organisation was formed in October of 1979 in Port Elizabeth. The group’s main objective was to fight for the rights of the people through mass protest and participation.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) was formed in 1983 and was an instrumental part of leading the masses. Possibly their most vital role was the coordination of multiple organisations to create mass protests rallies, and boycotts.
The UDF assumed many of the responsibilities of the ANC but attempted not to show any affiliation with them because of their banishment. The UDF played a big role in the Eastern Cape, where Port Elizabeth is located. Acting as a sort of umbrella organisation, the UDF organised protests and collaborated with PEBCO on multiple occasions. PEBCO also adopted the Freedom Charter upon the endorsement of it by the UDF. The Freedom Charter, created in the 1950s, is the central political doctrine of the ANC that called for equal rights, human rights and government by the people for the people. The charter was adopted by a multitude of groups that opposed apartheid. Because of the affiliation between the UDF and PEBCO, members of both groups were considered to be important political players in the struggle against apartheid, making them a threat to the government.
Reading the above makes me think that it is quite disingenuous of the ANC to claim the PEBCO 3 as dyed in the wool ANC members acting solely on their behalf. We need to recognise the roles of all groups in the fall of apartheid and not ‘steal’ the thunder from groups whose sacrifices and contributions should be acknowledged.
Alan Straton
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