The Indaba tree is a venue famous for the role it played as a meeting place when KwaThema was first established.
This is the place where all the problems and the challenges faced by the residents of KwaThema during the 1950s were discussed and solutions reached.
Speaking about the Indaba tree, KwaThema customer care centre manager, Andries Nkabinde explained that the place will be used to honour and respect many fallen heroes such as Boffit Nokwindla, Congress Mtshweni, Jabulani Mahlangu and Mathibe Modise who died in 1985 during the zero hour.
He said the place was declared a heritage site and the metro is ensuring that it really does look like all other heritage sites in this country.
“We appeal to people to respect the area and always remember that there are people who died fighting for the freedom that we enjoy today,” said Nkabinde.
He said a steel tree will be installed in that area to keep the history alive so that it can be told to many more generations to come.
Nkabinde added that a memorial wall with all the names of the heroes who died during the struggle will also be built.
Ward councillor, Thoko Radebe confirmed that the project has already created jobs for the residents.
She said the project is expected to be completed at the end of October. Radebe also appealed to the community not to use the venue to hold their street bashes and parties.
“This is a decent place that deserves every resident’s respect and not to be misused,” said Radebe.
Pat Mabena, one of KwaThema residents, said he is excited that the place will not only be a heritage site by name, but there is something that is done to ensure that its history does not die should the tree no longer be there.
He said, he believes that the generations to come also need to understand the history of the township.
“The history of KwaThema is not a full history if the Indaba tree is not mentioned,” said Mabena.
