Tsietsi Mashinini memorial lecture examines post-colonial state

As South Africa marks three decades of democratic rule, Tsietsi Donald Mashinini's memorial lecture commemorated the life of a student leader whose bravery in the 1976 Soweto uprising continues to inspire a new generation of thought leaders and activists.

Alexandra resident Mme Nkepile Minki (kneeling right) also laid wreaths at the Hector Peterson Monument.

Morris Isaacson High School in Soweto hosted the 9th Tsietsi Donald Mashinini memorial lecture, which brought together thought leaders and scholars to reflect on the past and chart a new course for South Africa’s future.

The lecture marked a significant milestone 30 years since the end of apartheid and the dawn of a new non-racial democratic order.

Some of the attendees of the Tsietsi Mashinini’s Memorial lecture lay wreaths at the Hector Peterson Monument.

The event honoured the memory of Mashinini, a student leader who led the uprisings against the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in black African secondary schools in June 1976.

This year’s lecture focused on the problems and prospects of the post-colonial South African state with two distinguished speakers shedding light on current challenges and offering solutions.

Alex resident Mme Nkepile Minki goes to lay the wreath with Hector Peterson’s mother, Ous Mantwa Peterson (brown hat).

An inspirational public speaker, transformation coach, conference facilitator, debate moderator and political activist recognised by the former US president Barack Obama as one of the young leaders of his generation Anele Mda delivered the first lecture.

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Joyce Dipale, Dee Mashinini elder brother of Tsietsi Mashinini and Alex resident Mme Nkepile Minki pose for a picture at the Morris Isaacson High School after the memorial lecture.

Mda’s talk explored the problems and prospects of South Africa’s post-colonial state, highlighting areas where progress has been made and more work is needed.

Other attendees of the Tsietsi Mashinini Memorial lecture are caught by the cameraman.

The second lecture was delivered by a graduate of St Antony’s College, University of Oxford in the UK, a former senior policy adviser to the government of South Africa and deputy director general of research and development, Wiseman Magasela. Magasela currently serves as executive director of Clermont Analytics, a research, policy development and advisory firm.

Alex resident Mme Nkepile Minki (right) with the mother of the late Hector, Ous Mantwa Peterson, after laying wreaths at the Hector Peterson Monument.

Magasela’s lecture delved into the complexities of citizenship and immigration in South Africa’s post-colonial state.