ANC, friends celebrate Ike Maphoto’s 88th birthday

African National Congress (ANC) members and friends celebrated the 88th birthday of Umkhonto We Sizwe veteran Ike Maphoto at a venue in the city on Tuesday evening.
Among the distinguished guests were Jerry Ndou, Polly Boshielo, Dickson Masemola, Lehlogonolo Masoga, Johanna Aphiri and Thembi Nkadimeng.
According to a message of congratulation issued on behalf of the ANC by Provincial Secretary Soviet Lekganyane, Maphoto was born at Ga- Makgato on 26 February 1931. “Bra Ike is one of the founding fathers of our democracy who joined the ANC at an early age and became one of the first recruits of Umkhonto We Sizwe at its formation in 1961. Having left the country on 28 February 1961 (two days after his 30th birthday) he spent 31 years in exile whereupon he actively participated in various political and military structures of the movement,” the message informs.
According to the message, Maphoto received political and military training in Beirut and the Soviet Union and served in various capacities including being a commander before he was captured by the then Rhodesian security forces where after he was imprisoned for 13 years. On his return into the country in 1992 he continued to serve the country in various capacities and was subsequently conferred the Order of Luthuli in recognition of his unwavering commitment to the emancipation of the ordinary masses of the country.
“We are truly blessed as a province to have produced from our ranks a combatant of this high calibre, he remains a valuable resource in our ranks.
“Let’s all celebrate with him and his family for all these wonderful years well lived in sacrifice for a better world order which should be caring to humankind” the message concluded.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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