Kwa-Thema residents celebrate Freedom Day
Margaret Gazo was commemorated during a Freedom Day event held in Kwa-Thema.
Kwa-Thema – As part of Freedom Day celebrations on Wednesday, the City of Ekurhuleni hosted a commemoration event at Kwa-Thema Community Hall.
Residents and learners from different schools were in attendance as they reflected on the gains of freedom and democracy post 1994.
The event started with the convoy visiting the grave of Margaret Gazo, where they laid a wreath.
They then visited her home in Kwa-Thema.
Gazo was one of the leaders who organised the 1956 Women’s March against the pass laws at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
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She led the march from Payneville and, with a small group of women, refused to disperse when the apartheid security police and soldiers started shooting at the group.
She was detained for five years for political activism for leading the anti-pass demonstration.
Gazo died on April 8, 1974, of natural causes.
Premier of Gauteng David Makhura, who was in attendance, urged parents to educate their children about what freedom means and what it took to achieve it.
“This should not be done only on Freedom Day, as it is important for young people to understand the sacrifices that were made for the country to attain it.
“South Africa is striving to be a better country. We must all respect every citizen’s human rights, as we are all equal,” he added.
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