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No Official Massacre Commemorations as Government Outmaneuvers Municipality

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The entire press conference with added Zebra’s because sometimes politicians just go better with Dancing Zebras – #JustAddZebras courtesy of John Oliver

At a press conference called today by the Executive Mayor Athol Trollip, held in Jenny’s Room at the City Hall, the Executive Mayor outlined the municipalities woes around the official commemoration of National Days and, more specifically, Human Rights day 21 March 2017.

Citing provincial and national government obfuscation allied with local opposition party shenanigans and blatant disregard for an undertaking by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality that there will be NO formal NMBM commemoration of Human Rights Day at the Uitenhage / Langa Massacre site.

The above undertaking was as a result of a directive from the Provincial MEC for the Department of Sport, recreation, Arts and Culture, Nodumiso Mapekula who had said that no contesting official Provincial or Municipal events can be held when there is a similar National event attended by the President.

It appears that the Executive Mayor’s engagement with the Uitenhage Massacre Foundation was not well received and they were not open to the explanation that the Human Rights Day events were to be rotated amongst the eight Provincial ‘Massacre’ sites. The last event held in Langa occurred in 2015.

Trollip is a bit miffed as this is the third event that has been scuppered after “interference from Provincial Government”.

It would appear that ‘Human Rights’ does not extend to ‘Municipal Rights’.

The ‘Low Key’ human Rights Day Commemoration Event will start at the Donkin Reserve.

The Day’s Events are as follows and open to all:

09h30 Assemble at Donkin Reserve Flagpole
09h40 Address by Executive Mayor, Cllr Athol Trollip
09h50 Opening prayer
10h00 Flag hoisting by SANDF and singing of the National Anthem. Walk commences via Route 67 to Vuyisile Mini Square (City Hall) where doves will be released as a symbol of PEACE
11h00 Welcome by Mr Monde Ngonyama “Social Cohesion through the arts, culture and heritage”
11h25 Moment of silence
11h30 Speech by Prof Janet Cherry “Struggle significance of Human Rights”
12h00 Short poetry reading by local artist
12h10 Closing and Thanks by Executive Mayor, Cllr Athol Trollip

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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.