Plague in honour of ’76 class unveiled in Orlando East
The event is one of the many initiative outlined in partnership with the June 16 Youth Foundation aimed at preserving history of the Soweto Uprising 46 years ago.
The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation unveiled a commemorative plague at the Mashinini family home in Orlando East on Youth Day in honour of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) cadre Saul Mashinini.
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The event is one of the many initiative outlined in partnership with the June 16 Youth Foundation aimed at preserving history of the Soweto Uprising 46 years since the tragedy events.
Tshenolo Mokhele, trustee of the foundation said the event was part of the city’s bid to protecting and promoting immoveable heritage citing the move was long overdue.
“Today we are honouring one of the June 16 stalwarts who for many years has not be honoured.
“We felt as the heritage foundation to put a blue plague where he was born. But also to put the house into the Johannesburg heritage register as one of the heritage sites in the city.
“This is a symbol to mark the galliard character as a liberator and also as a struggle icon.
“We are saddened that he was not able to see the light of democracy when liberation movements came into the country after the unbanning in 1994, however we stand here to celebrate one of our own and put him on the pedestal he deserves.”
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Mashinini joined the MK at the age of 15 before he went to exile with the first military unit, the June 16 Detachment.
He trained in various countries as a solider. He died in Nambia in 1990 and later was repatriated and buried at Avalon.
Family spokesperson, Good Mashinini said, “As a family we are very proud of our brother being honoured and the efforts made today will not be in vain.
“We believe that this plague is going to actually be a good initiative because to preserve the life of our brother is something that we have been discussing as a family and we are glad that today it’s happening.”
Mashihini further shared that the family would use this as a launching pad to preserve his brother’s legacy citing a line of programmes they plan to undertake.
“We will try and organise memorial lectures every two months that will teach the youth about the sacrifice of 1976.
“This will be a home of learning and education, as we plan to invite all the people that played a crucial role during that uprising to host learners.
“We are already involved in the education. fraternity and plan to organise young people be coached about leadership at this home which we believe will be a good initiative in the fight against the surge of drugs,” he explained.
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This year also marks a milestone for the township of Orlando East as it celebrated 90 years of existence on Youth Day.
The homes of Letta Mbulu, James Mpanza, Seth Mazibuko were all declared as heritage sites as part of the city’s on-going process to archive the history of Orlando East.
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