POLOKWANE – This is according to the chairperson of the board, Mike Maphoto.
The foundation was launched last Thursday in order to help community members familiarise themselves with the foundation.
“Our mandate is to honour and continue the legacy of Bra Ike, which means to ensure that disadvantaged and rural communities have access to quality education,” he said.
Speaking at the launch, Maphoto said they believe government does not respect its former leaders and struggle heroes.
“Struggle heroes in other countries are held in very high esteem. In South Africa, a struggle hero who gave up his or her life and youth must struggle and be poor in the same country he or she has given up that freedom for. This is a person who was robbed of their youth, who did not have an opportunity to go to school and be educated. After all they have done for the freedom of their country, they end up in poverty with no solution.”
Maphoto says the foundation has not received any support from national or provincial government but that they will continue to knock on any doors where people are willing to help.
“There is a need to note and categorise all leaders of the struggle, based on their ranks and contribution to society. We need to give credit where it is due. 2021 was the year of Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke but what did government do to preserve her legacy? She was a pioneer in her own right, the first black woman to obtain a B.Sc degree, but today’s generation doesn’t even know who she is. Is it really that difficult to name even a small river after her?”
Maphoto says government needs to do away with colonialised street names, and start honouring the fallen leaders by naming streets and public institutions after them.
“Without respecting the leaders that got the country out of Apartheid, there is no way the current leaders will respect themselves or each other,” he concluded.
