Youth Day: What fighting for freedom is like
'In 1976 during the student uprising we were determined to fight for freedom' – struggle stalwart aged 67.
Born and bred in Mohlakeng, the 67-year-old pensioner and struggle stalwart Tlhoriso Phake believes that we need to reflect on the history of our country ahead of the June 16 public holiday, better known as Youth Day.
• Also read: What Youth Day is about
Now a resident of Finsbury, Tlhoriso said he too fought against the apartheid regime to help attain the freedom that we enjoy today. Speaking to the Randfontein Herald in an interview, Tlhoriso said he escaped the clutches of apartheid and is part of a few who lived to tell the tale.
I was actively involved in the struggle along with other stalwarts. It gives me joy to look back and see what the fruits of our work had accomplished.
I remember being the only student from Phahama Senior Secondary School in Mohlakeng arrested at the time. This was in 1976 during the student uprising as we were determined to fight for freedom,” said Tlhoriso.
Meanwhile, during his first arrest, Tlhoriso was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for sabotage and released after spending five years behind bars at the Robben Island ultra maximum-security prison. He was then arrested a second time in 1984 under the Internal Security Act but was acquitted of this charge. This victory was short-lived though, as he was again arrested in 1985 and charged under the Internal Security Act as well as for sedition and subversion.
He was then acquitted of these charges but rearrested at the door on court day and detained under a State of Emergency (SOE). South African History Online revealed that a SOE was a harsh instrument used by the apartheid government to detain people in large numbers while bypassing legal avenues. People could be arrested and held in undisclosed locations, while others could be killed without the police or other state security apparatuses being held to account.
During this time, Tlhoriso was released after having spent three years in prison. What this means is that he spent a total of eight years behind bars, while actively fighting for freedom.
He, like many others, was eventually able to see the light at the end of the tunnel when the SOE was lifted in 1990. Shortly after this, he met his wife who he has been married to for 34 years. They have four sons together.
