COMMENTS

 

 

Dear Editor ( Letter sent to City Press by Somafco X Trust)

 
The article entitled “struggle widows who cry alone “was emotionally charged, sensitive and an interesting read and it raised a number of issues. To start, we think The history of Mazimbu must be used in a manner that can assist in advancing the South African democracy, heritage, African solidarity, fight against xenophobia and Africa ’s economic development. 
 
But before we proceed, we would like to clarify a few things. Mazimbu was not a military base camp and the reference of the Freedom Park Trust in the article came across as though they were the South African government, which of course, they never will be.

 Mazimbu housed the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (SOMAFCO), which educated children from exile whom many of their parents were training in MK camps. It also educated children from surrounding villages including Dark City. Education is the biggest weapon for Africa’s development; hence hope for a better life cannot exist without it. 

 

Mazimbu included a vocational centre in Dakawa, a well equipped Hospital, a construction hub and farms. All these fed the exile community and also benefited the local community there. Increasing self reliance was achieved through these activities and it had begun to reach a stage were products from the construction hub, such as furniture were being exported for income to fund other activities. The late O R Tambo handed over these facilities, which were (then) valued at approximately $300 million to the Tanzanian government on July 09, 1992.
 
The article does make relevant points and our hearts fill up to see the ongoing suffering of not only the people living in Tanzania (Dark City in particular) , but also for our colleagues who have and many who still, continue to seek the fruits of freedom in South Africa . The issue surrounding the entire situation is complex and quite sensitive. We however need to find a balanced and more importantly, a sustainable way to deal with the outcome of apartheid and freedom in South Africa.
 
Addressing delegates at a recent ANC/MKMVA conference, President Thabo Mbeki was deeply concerned by the irony that most MK Vets (many of whom are our relatives), who kept the ANC alive by immensely contributing to the freedom we enjoy today, have not been adequately accommodated by a democratic South Africa; thus conceding that less has been done to meet the needs of the ex-MK combatants. This evidences the struggle that has reshaped itself and continued.

 

 

The MKMVA exists because it needs to find a meaningful way of re-integrating the former freedom fighters into the South African society. Alas, more than a decade into our democracy, this has not been significantly achieved (even though there are so many resources).This is the case with the fathers, mothers and aunts of former MK fighters. The impact, to some degree, has trickled down to the former students of Somafco. 

 
Not long ago the City Press ran an article titled "CADRE V CADRE OVER CASH" in which Professor Sipho Seepe was quoted saying that “freedom fighters were thrown to the wolves”. The article goes on to make claims that further indicate the challenges with some of the proposed solutions to the situation of returned exiles. There was another related story regarding special pensions being inadequate. All these point to the on-going struggle by returned exiles to find balance in South Africa. We (the Somafco X Trust) have first hand experience of the dire straits that some of our colleagues find themselves in South Africa.
 
There are other issues that link to the situation of those in Dark City and returned exiles that lived in other parts of the continent. It is important to state that the ANC led government does care and this is manifested in a number of ways and as the President indicated, there is certainly room for a good amount of improvement; however the government cannot be indirectly fingered for personal relations that subsequently ended. The ANC did not recommend or facilitate introductions of such meetings or/and marriages and neither did it encourage or discourage parties involved in any of their personal decision making.
 

Communication is clearly a short-coming that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, and more importantly, those who lived in Mazimbu need to communicate more between themselves even those in South Africa. Should this be done, it will at least enable people to talk (which are a great contributor to healing) about the shift that has occurred in our lives and discussions of what we can do to work together for a better life. 
 
Compensation has some sort of legal connotations, but perhaps the word is used with a different meaning. The Somafco X held two “Letsemas” last year, wherein food parcels collected from monies contributed by the former Somafco students and people supportive of the initiative, were distributed in Orange Farm and Vosloorus.

It became apparent that this, as an intervention, would make a small difference but would not be sustainable, especially in empowering people to take control of their destinies. So, the Trust is working on a number of plans which we hope will enable people to rebuild their spirits, sustain and propel themselves to become positive agents of change in their new communities.

 

It is indeed worth mentioning that the article triggered a temporary relapse to many; hence prompting former Somafco students to at least consider lending a helping hand to those families back in Dark City, in whichever way possible, and perhaps as a short-term intervention and symbolism, this might be the way to go.
 

In conclusion, we reckon that the real opportunity here is the revitalization of the small industries in Mazimbu. We are therefore, putting together ideas in this regard because it is not only an issue of solidarity, but that of co-operation for economic development. 

 

Aluta Continua

 

Somafco X Trust

 
CDE GARDEE: I DO NOT AGREE WITH SOME OF THE SENTIMENTS IN THE LETTER TO EDITOR

 

FREEDOM PARK TRUST IS A STATUTORY BODY FORMED BY GOVERNMENT. AND REPRESENTS GOVERNMENT IN ITS ACTIVITIES. THE PARAGRAPH ON FREEDOM PARK SENDS A MESSAGE THAT MAYBE WE ARE ANGRY WITH FREEDOM PARK FOR ONE REASON OR THE OTHER.

 

SOMAFCO HOUSED CHILDREN BORN IN EXILE, THOSE WHO FLED ALONE AND TOO YOUNG TO BE ACCEPTED IN MK OR WITH PARENTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO EXILE.  SINCE THE ANC NEVER PROMOTED CONSCRIPTION, YOUTH WHO NEVER WANTED TO SERVE MK BUT THE ANC IN OTHER SPHERE WERE HOUSED AND EDUCATED AT SOMAFCO.

 

"the government cannot be indirectly fingered for personal relations that subsequently ended. The ANC did not recommend or facilitate introductions of such meetings or/and marriages and neither did it encourage or iscourage parties involved in any of their personal decision making."

 

History and jurisprudence attest to the fact that a foreign government is mandatory responsible for the actions of its citizen who are actively part-taking in a war whilst in foreign land during a war situation .  The South African government may buy time in its responsibility over actions of its national in a foreign land during the war but generations to come, there could be a class case as orphans in Japan and all other parts of the world did successfully sue invading countries who left children and the unsung female heroes who took care of the soldier's emotional needs.  One of the photographs in the gallerie is that of a wedding.  The ANC paid for rings, grocery and decoration and chaplains for weddings.  I remember the wedding of the guy in finance at SOMAFCO with that tall lady.    It is not true that the "ANC did not recommend or facilitate introductions of such meetings or/and marriages and neither did it encourage or iscourage parties involved in any of their personal decision making."  This is an unfortunate statement.  the poor children in Tanzania and elsewhere never requested to born. Apartheid and the ANC made them to be born.  Apartheid made people flee to ANC in exile.  People could not stay without relations as there were few if none South African women to take care of the old , disabled and active ANC members who naturally needed love and compassion.

 

This government should explore ways of helping trace the runaway fathers just as the maintenance act of South Africa is helping the children from runaway fathers.  Just as the poor south africans are afforded child support grant, old age, special pension, nutrition,social welfare for foster grants; those generations left in exile so are entitled.

 

They are South  Africans left in diaspora. 

 

I challenge a contra view!!!!!

 

 

Reply to Cde Gardee from Somafco X :

 

Thanks Cde Gardee,we understand your point and much appreciate it. We think we did not come across clear. The thrust of that statement is the manner in which it is phrased by the journalist, it had erroneous “facts” including the continuous reference to Freedom Park Trust as the “the SA govt”. Either the journalist doesn’t understand/understand the primary role of the FPT as a Presidential project. Its not the first time that a government related entity is used to describe the entire government. The Freedom Park Trust is simply not the government, they will never be that, they are part of the government and are playing an absolutely important role in our democratic development.

 

 

The Freedom Park Trust did an exceptional and heartwarming act; we supported it as much as we could. Their terms of reference and activities were clear otherwise we would have all wanted to be in Tanzania when not all of us lost relatives there.

 
 
Reply from Cde Gardee:
 
THANX FOR THE CLARIFICATION, IDID NOT MEAN ANY MALICE BUT A CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICAL ANALYSIS FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE.  I WOULD HAVE LOVED THAT THE EDITORIAL TEAM COMMENTS ON THE OTHER MATTERS OF DISAGREEMENT THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR
 
Contribution by Nkuli Kgositsile:
 

Good day dear comrades,

 

It is with great interest that I follow the debate that has been sparked by the city press article (Struggle widows cry alone October 30). I did not have the benefit of reading the article but I can deduce from comments after it what it was all about.

 

My interest is sparked by two main things. The first is that I used to work very closely with Freedom Park on these very sort of expeditions and I would have thought that by now they would have better ways of communicating with the affected communities. I saw an advertisement in one of the papers about the Tanzanian trip a few weeks before it was undertaken and my immediate sense was I hope they do this right.

 

Tanzania, Zambia and Angola to my mind are the countries the ANC owes the most if there was such a thing. Each played different roles for us which were critical to the very survival of our revolution. Angola for the military camps, Tanzania for what became a world renowned education and recreational base, somafco and dakawa and Zambia as the home of our head quarters. Yes many countries helped us tremendously most of the neighbouring ones not wholeheartedly for fear of the mighty Apartheid South Africa  but the three countries I have mentioned are particularly close to hearts and minds of our cadres. So I really hoped that they would be treated by anybody with absolute care. In those countries it isn't just a question of South Africa broadly it is about the ANC in particularly. We lived and died there. The other reason for my interest is even more important.

 

Last week I was in Angola accompanying a few SA MP's who were lead by the Speaker of Parliament on an extensive visit there, the first of its kind since our independence. We went to the historical village of Cuito Cuanavale where the decisive defeat of the SADF literally changed the course for all freedom fighters in Southern Africa and influenced politics globally with Namibia almost immediately gaining independence. To say that the people of Cuito were happy to receive us would be an understatement. They were elated and overjoyed for a number of reasons including the fact that they don't get to see the leadership of their country at the level we had gone with, often if at all. Be that as it may we got a thorough presentation from the military on how exactly the battle took place over what length of time and the estimated number of fatalities. I was thrilled.

 

To be at this place that I had read and heard so much about was out of this world for me. To top it all the man making the presentation was in the battle himself. We were there and we are going back next year to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this significant gain towards our freedom.

 

 The following day we got up early and into some 14 or so 4x4's and our convoy set off to the  northern province of Bengo where the ANC had camps for close to two decades. This was harder than I thought it would be. I don't know what I expected but I was reminded of the TV programme survivor or eco challenge. There are no roads you see even though the evidence of development is in the construction equipment that you come across throughout the journey deep into this very dense vegetative and mountainous area. Four hours into it we made a stop at a small village called Piri where a local greeted me in Zulu. It then dawned on me that we really did stay here and mingled with people just like him and who knows who taught him the bit of Zulu he knows, Terrence, Sibongile, James or which comrade? 

 

From there we drove about 10km from Piri to the only MK gravesite that the local government could find and clear as quickly as possible for our visit. An 81 year old man helped them identify former MK camp sites and graves including the one we went to. You could see that he knows more about our history there than a lot of us can remember. He probably helped us clear some of the bushes when we first arrived. He's son might have just helped somehow or other. Who knows. Anyway, there we were finally in front of 10 graves covered with concrete with the tomb stone depicting a book inscribed in Portuguese with a statue jutting out. It is a figure of a man holding a hammer in one hand and a spear on the other looking at with his mouth open as if addressing his fallen comrades. When I saw that I almost broke down immediately. The mood amongst us became very serious. Not least of all because amongst us was Aunty Makho Njobe and her husband who's son fell in Angola and they had never been to his resting place. This was a big moment for them and us collectively.

 
A lot of us were nervous on their behalf and MaNjobe was scheduled to speak. I wondered if this was where Mwelase (their son) was as there were no names on the graves. All they knew is that he was in camp 13. We had been told by comrades not to expect much because when leaving Angola they flattened and mined the camps so as to deter the enemy from desecrating our brothers and sisters. That is still the case today. But there we were definitely before our own and after laying wreaths and observing a minutes silence MaNjobe made a poignant speech on behalf of all South African parents who lost their children in Angola .

 

After that we went into the town Quibashe itself where hundreds had come out to the main road to welcome us singing and dancing and somebody else making a lot of noise on the loud hailer. It was very festive. As we were appreciating the different cultural groups out came a group of 20 or so youth waving small metal shields some wearing gumboots doing indlamu! It was amazing. Even Reverend Zondi of the IFP was reminded of home by these young stars who were clearly working purely on the memory of the lessons some of them got from the young pioneer groups that we used to have. I could recognize some of the moves they were trying to do and we were just totally bowled over. What if that was uncle Chris's son at the front I asked myself? We left more than just memories there.

 
We left pools of blood and it is that blood that surely is thicker than the spring water we enjoy today. In Quibashe you will probably find more people who know the freedom charter than in Qunu. They lived and died by our side and yet we were the first group of South Africans including ANC members to go back after our independence. Why? Are we so drunk from freedom that we have totally forgotten those backs that used to carry us? Puzzling of all is that it wasn't that long ago so the amnesia boggles the mind!!

 

I conclude with this to say to you. Let us not forget aboMwelase. Let us not forget where we were a little over a decade ago. Remember where you were when Nelson Mandela came out jail? It wasn't that long ago but beyond that do we remember why we were out there in the first place?! The principles of the revolution are fast dying out even amongst our own people as if we have reached mount Zion ! I beg to differ. Yes we all have access to Levi jeans and to some that's the measure of freedom but for me I see another struggle upon us. The struggle of the mind.

 

A Luta Continua!!

 

Nonkululeko Kgositsile 

 

 

Further Clarification from Somafco X :

 

 

Thank you again Cde Gardee. 

 

We have sighted that there are “legal connotations” to the word “compensation” because of the law suit possibility. We carefully considered the “……..jurisprudence attest to the fact that a foreign government is mandatory responsible for the actions of its citizen who are actively part-taking in a war whilst in foreign land during a war situation….” In this case, we have to take into account that there was a unique situation of war, wherein it was not a country versus a country. However, having said that, we ultimately agree with your perspective for a number of reasons including processes and outcomes of the TRC.

 

On the issue of ANC facilitation, we concede that the ANC  played a symbolic role in situations where it was fait accompli and that people had engaged in a number of things prior e.g. Courtship, that any human being in any situation, who have to arrived at the conclusion that they want to be united in matrimony. The ANC most likely responded to a request for assistance.

 

The scripts and actions used by either to entice or charm one another where not however obtained per se, from the ANC. So in a situation were Vusi (imaginary character) is “proposing” on a Thembi ( a good looking imaginary lady), the words, and the shoes his wearing and things he told his companion about his life in South Africa, could not be monitored by the ANC. When Vusi returns and changes his mind, this is not the direct fault of the ANC or the now ANC government. We emphasize the word “direct” because we understand and agree again, to a certain degree, with the point you make and as quoted in the first paragraph.

 

Furthermore your point is very important because it demonstrates that during that period in time, people were not in the process of accumulating wealth whilst in exile and some where not furthering their education because they were teaching us. On their return, they had to start from scratch. Again, some of the points that were made in the article “Cadre vs. Cadre” where accurate and highlight the embarrassment of having to come back home to still live in the backroom of your parent’s home. 

 

We also make reference to the MKMVA because it is testament or the closest example to the hardships of returned exiles and until those are resolved, it will be difficult for many to come true on their promises, if they are willing (i.e. to return to those they left behind). If not, this falls under the broader and great challenge of reviving moral responsibility not only in South Africa but on the continent as a whole.

 

The article follows others that have appeared in other print publications and on T.V. The selective reporting presented by these articles is a cause for concern, as they suggest a willing wholesale irresponsibility by former exiles. No mention is made of the fact that some people living in Tanzania refused to be part of this story because they had reached working agreements with comrades who have managed to establish a reasonable way to take responsibility for whatever they have to. That is why we call for balance.  

 

Lastly, in our letter to the Editor, we have referred to the small industries in Mazimbu. The article fails to mention that Dark City has advanced regardless of it remaining behind in comparison to the surrounding areas. It also fails to state that there have been feasibility studies done around Mazimbu and that they are seeking investments. That article therefore has created unbalanced and incorrect perceptions.

 

On our part, we have learnt a lot since returning and continue to do so. Some of our Broad Based Empowerment models and Co-operatives can be modified and implemented back in Tanzania or used to boost whatever interventionist programmes already existent in Tanzania now. Somafco houses out 70% of the Sokoine University of Agriculture.  Is this not a good opportunity? Were the pigs produced at the farm not high quality?

 

When you refer to Comrade Tokyo… this is exactly what we should be presenting because above all, it retains the process of education, empowers people with control of their destinies and falls within current global understanding of dominant force in terms of social ideology- capitalism with a social face. So for any investor there should be a good return on investment.

 

Contribution from Bohlale: Lest we Forget what we left behind

 

Hi All

 

When I first read the City Press Article I felt a bit emotional and many questions and views came to my mind but I must say, we should always remember that there are two sides to a story and at times, seeing is believing.  So before I could make any opinions, I decided to wait and first see with my own eyes what is really happening in SOMAFCO and Dark City.  When I got there on Friday, 5 October 2007, I did not see a need to be emotional about a lot of the negative things that have been written by the City Press and as usual by now we should all know that our press has a great tendency to create certain negative impressions of the ANC and its past activities and endeavors to attain our Freedom.

It would seem they are on a mission to destroy the ANC. 

 

I also do not encourage anyone to get emotional about this, go and visit and see for yourself and then you will understand better and appreciate what we have done contrary to what our sensationalist paper said.  I saw a beautiful, well kept place (considering its been 19yrs since I left the place) and happy appreciative people for what they have through our existence in the place.

 

From the way I saw things, it is actually clear that  the Tanzanian People are benefiting a great deal from all that we left behind. 

 

 It is also important to state once more that they are truly so grateful of what they have. If we hadn't been there, that facility wouldn't be what it is today to the community there.  Those with great survival and business skills and minds are using it to their advantage and are not waiting for the South African government to come and save them or provide them with handouts or pay some form of compensation. 

If I had taken with me any clothing items or anything like that then I would have really been a true spoiler, encouraging those complaining to wait for more donations instead of going out to fend for themselves out of what is.

 

I would want to say, whatever challenge the complainants are faced with, is something that everyone including ourselves are faced with.  It is a business and survival challenge. I don't want to say negative things about those people but I think theirs was or is to go and fit in with what is, just as we have had to come and fit in our society and make the best of life.

 

An example; I was fascinated to see in unit Hall 05 (dining hall) one guy, selling fruit on the stage (where we used to perform) whilst others got food from the food counter, sat down and got on with their business. Next to where we used to live around unit four, there is a restaurant of some sort and there is business going on there.

 

Dark City has now developed so much that I couldn't recognise it  from what it used to be when I left the place in 1988.  There are many businesses around the place. As for SOMAFCO, in addition to it being an Agricultural University, the facilities we left there are still fully functional and providing the people around the area with essential necessities such as medical care.  The Hospital is still well kept, I may say, and it services many people from the surrounding area and that includes Dark City.  I went around and even saw some admitted patients in the wards behind. The maternity ward is also well kept and I think they themselves have enhanced it.  The Primary School benefits a lot of the children around the place. The nursery school is still there and benefits many children.

 

One thing that I missed was someone to explain to me what was going on, so I asked the people around what is happening. That means, there is an opportunity for one to create a job (Internal tour guide for visitors) ie. when people arrive to see the facility, even if you lived there cause I could easily navigate my way round,  they can facilitate the visits so that people can understand the little changes that have occured and what they mean today. 

 

To sum up, the visit was very exciting and healing. I did not lose family in SOMAFCO but I tell you it brought me so much joy to see what used to be a home to me when no other place could be. I had my closure and I think thats probably what most of us need because I understand when we were allowed to come back home everyone was so much in a hurry to leave that I wonder if anyone took a minute to give thanks and have closure leaving the place in peace of mind. So thats what I did and I feel great and peaceful.

 

Please be on the lookout some few pictures of the place but I would like to suggest/request everyone that visits to please bring back pictures  and post them on our site so that we can relate to the updated situation of the place. Its really good after 19 years to have seen what I saw and since that part of our lives and home is so far it would really be able to go somewhere nearer to visit and see the place - our SOMAFCO-X site.

 

Now this is from a true Mazimbuan who understands what went on and relate to what is going on after seeing alafu, nina sema kiSwahili kwahiyo nimeweza kujuwa kila kitu walikuwa wana niyambiya or sema. Not like those press guys who know nothing about what went on and go on to make certain imbalanced opinions..........

 

 

The Asantes we exchanged, were really a true representation of the Gratitude the Good People have for our having been there as well as mine for having been able to live there in times of struggle.

 

 

Thank you and regards

Bohlale

 

 

Bohlale’s Trip back to Tanzania ( The Story)

 

Hi All

 

I'm glad you appreciate the photos and that they brought back so many good memories - lets continue to share.  Other than share the photos, I didn't quite have an intention to share my story of the visit but due to overwhelming request here goes:

 

Coincidentally, the trip started with a very touching movie on the plane ( I didn't catch the title when it started, my guess is it must be "Walk to Freedom" - sorry for the ignorance) about Mandela and the 27 years he spent in prison.  I cried so much when I imagined the all-round picture of the struggle combined, in the Country and in Exile especially in Zambia, Angola and Tanzania - how things were co-ordinated (how messages were sent and how missions were executed, how lives were lost etc).  I found that to be very interesting and very coincidental considering that I was actually going back to my roots to relive my own experience. It was also interesiting see some men cry on the plane I wondered if they knew the rest of the story.

 

I was really so overwhelmed to be there. The first thing I did was get out of the car and jumped for joy from seeing the place again after so many years. There were so many "OH MY GOD....OH MY GOD, I cant believe what I'm seeing..." coming out of my mouth and accompanied by goose-bumps.  I told my friends that I wanted to walk and relive my footsteps - and we did but as I said I didn't quite know what to capture and where to go first, I wanted to be everywhere at the same time hahaha......

 

Each and every step I took in the compound brought back great and very fond memories of my life with many others in the place. Before I left, when I read that article, I said to myself that I was going there to be grateful for every experience the place brought me, for the home it became to me when no other place could be my home, for being able to have lived with and amongst some of the most wonderful, strong and heroic people our nation could ever know and most importantly to have closure and to come back with a greater spirit than ever before. I told myself that whatever "abnormal" occurances happened there or anywhere in exile was just a part of life that would have happened anywhere else in the world to anyone, so I wouldn't want to be focusing on those things of life rather than the joy the place brought me in time of need.

 

I went to wait by the tree (and tried to sit like I used to)  for a lift to town- Morogoro- behind a van and also told of the other modes we would use to get to town like walking that whole distance or how we used to ride bicycles to town and back.  I went to the old Tuck Shop which now has a sitting place to eat to buy a cool drink and told about our Mia Moja allowances that we used to get.  I told them about Mphando at Construction and the Solidarity countries it came from, the food packs with condense milk and chocolates that were scarce that we once received, the MaSharlottes in Tabora and how some would then have to proceed to Dakawa after........,  the little Friendships that were forged in Denmark of Fritz, Tlholo and Nandi and how they were like brothers and sister, the Magnuses', the Bings etc and how each and every section had a special experience and memory attached to it........ it was so really great to be back "home".  Our cultural activities; the Gumboot Dance and Ndlamu Dances, Letsema, am Study, the News readings in the Hall by Baxa (anyone remember the name) and the overseas travels we undertook to Pioneer Camps all over the world in countries like Russia, Sweden,  Denmark, Korea etc to tell the world about our South African Struggle for Freedom.....  I had never felt so excited in my life.

 

I told about what a close neat community we used to be and how almost everyone knew each other and looked after one another under the circumstances - we had the true Ubuntu spirit in that community......I told about Mamiya and the many children that went through her good hands. I also told about Sis Gloria, Uncle Skhulu's wife and the good mother she was..... I told about Uncle Slim and how the Thembi and myself would sometimes go and cook for him and the story I later heard that he collapsed at landing and setting foot South African soil at the airport after so many years...............I told about Teacher Baboo and Hazel, and the gymnastics, beautiful wood-works he taught us to make and the Touch Poem used to make us recite........ I told about the visits of the leadership when they came, how they would address us encouraging us to be strong and continue with the struggle, how we would perform for them and even showed where they lived at Construction at Auntie Natso's and what a good cook they said she was........the L-Shaped holes that we were once made to wake up each morning to dig because Botha was coming to bomb Somafco...... In each place that I passed, I told a story......I remembered so many people who are no longer with us............

 

We were welcomed into one house. The houses are now occupied by lectures,  so I told them a bit of my story about the place of when I used to live there etc and that it would be a great honour for me to come inside. You know the humility the Tanzanian People have; they said KARIBUNI with kind hearts and even apologised that they hadn't cooked. We told them there was no problem, in my good but broken KiSwahili, I tried to speak it all the way.  I intend to fix that. 

 

The house I went into is the house in Unit 05, where our German Teachers Angelica and Buchel used to live. I also went on to take a picture at the back. At first I thought its where we used to live with my mom because you can't clearly see the Unit writings anymore, they have altered that.  I realised afterward as we walked towards unit 04, 03 & 02 etc that I was mistaken - I think I was so dizzy from what I was experiencing.  I still managed to take pictures of the house in 03 but did not get inside. By this time I was exhausted by the excitement and the jumping about etc and unfortunately had to hurry to the grave yard and then proceed to see Morogoro town. The place has also changed but I could identify quite a bit of the old places, it is really a business town of its own kind.  Soda Baridi where we used to wait for lifts back to SOMAFCO is something else now, I did not get out to see, we just drove by.

 

My friends, who were visiting for the first time  from SA were truly amazed & most thrilled, they said it felt like a movie listening to my stories about the place and seeing the place for real after the Freedom Park visit and event was broadcast on our South African TV.  They said it was most exciting and educative and WOW what a great and unique experience...! I wondered if this wouldn't broaden the horizon of many other ignorant or ill-informed South African minds especially those who have a lot of misconceptions about the life we led in SOMAFCO. Hearing the life stories of the place from a person who lived there and understood very deeply the significant activities of the place can create a very good impact to many people both youth and adult. We must believe that otherwise our experiences there have no good meaning.

 

It brought better understanding to one because not only do they get to know through real feeling how far away we were and how that really felt - the one said trapped- especially existing in a space where certainty of going back home was near to nothing and how unsophisticated life was and yet despite all that we still made the best that we could to survive as well as the fact that in the midst of all that we managed to launch and execute a good fight for the great course of attaining the Freedom we have today.

 

Some of the stories I told caused the guys' jaws to drop in amazement and some brought sadness. It shows what resilience we the EX-SOMAFCOANS have.

  

What a healing experience

 

 

Lots of Love

Bohlale

 

 

George Mwale’s comments on Bohlale’s Trip

 

I Horner you Sister. You just got me wet my desk with tears of joy. Through out reading this passage I have experience so many mixed emotions. My body temperature changed some many times my heart couldn’t coupe with it. I have never thought some could take all my word and put them on paper or tell them to someone else who doesn’t know what we went through like you did. You are a true daughter of Mazibu. You recall everything so clearly like it was yesterday. You write about our home like you are telling in your factual dreams. I am so proud of you. I have so much to say about the photos and this wonderfully treasuries (for luck of a better word) story that you have narrated like a true sister of Somafco. I can never thank you enough for this.

We love you and your wonderful work you have done for all of us. On behalf of my self and all of Somafco-X, I would like to say, YOU ARE THE GREATEST. God Bless You for all times.

 

To Everybody else from Somafco and Mazimbu, through Somafco X, I would like to suggest that we start putting money aside so that we can all go and pay tribute to Mazimbu one day, Wether it’s a year or 10 from to day, we need to do this.  We have a duty to curry out. Lets all put our differences aside and work together in achieving this. Somafco-X Exists to day because from the beginning we put all our differences aside and worked so hard together to see the birth of this huge Organization. Please guys; let’s get everyone involved, I mean everyone. Even though who we feel that has different visions from what the goals of the organization are. If we are to grow even bigger, let’s do this the right way. You all know what I mean. I am pleading with you people, from management to all stake holders, lets all unit. Our leader has lost time, some have grown up, and some have fallen in love with corruption and money and lost the understanding of unit. They have forgotten about the blood of Solomon which shall nourish the tree of freedom. Let’s not fall in to that trap, for we are the children and the young lions of O R Tambo and we know just what he would want us to be like to day. Let Solomon’s soul and that of Ntate Tambo Rest peacefully knowing that their children and brother and sisters will make it better after all. Let’s take charge. Let’s lead the way. History is waiting for us to rewrite it. A large part of our history is getting forgotten and it is our responsibility to revive it. Lets us thus forum to let do it. Remember the fallen blood of our brother and sisters, mothers and father. ALuta

 

From George, with the Deepest Appreciation.

 

 

Teacher Tolly’s comments on Bohlale’s trip

 

Hi Bohlale and Comrades

On the 28-30 Sept we attended the MKMVA Conference in Johannesburg which was attended by the likes of Uncle Phefo and Northwest beneficiaries (x-SOMAFCO students). It was just a big family whereby our children are saying, yes, we admit that we are not MKs, but you are our only family we know and that they should be embraced as such. I had a different view more especially as I happened to have welcomed some MKs at Charleston in 1992 who were in exile for only 2 months and never gone through training not even crush course.

 

When reading all what you are saying, I remembered those years starting from withdrawal from the front to the unbanning of the ANC; how young you were; and how difficult to integrate all the children into one pot; the frustrations we have all gone through and how we all played together, laughed and enjoyed the spirit of comradeship; how as Pioneers you visited Angola and were politically and OTHERWISE polished and most importantly how we sang and implemented the Freedom Charter; how Lentsoe Serote will play soccer while reciting poetry (a poetry book always in his pocket); how we buried each other and consoled each other during trying times and how we got poisoned and survived. I think you deserve to be honorary MK cadres and this is the battle some of us are fighting to have the fire burning when we are no more. You are our only hope.

 

Keep it up comrades and keep us crying because you make us proud to have been part of you. You will never know how these email are changing our lives.

 

How is George the Dar Es Salaam DJ?

 

 

Report/Diary on Tiyende Pamodzi- Trip to Mazimbu Tanzania

 

 

 

 

 

SOMAFCO X TRUST

 

   6- 13 July 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

 

 

Entrance to Mazimbu

 

The Somafco X Trust, a youth led public benefit organization was formally registered in November 2006.

 

On July 6th – 13th, 2008, Somafco X Trust achieved a very symbolic and historic milestone, when it embarked on a spiritual week-long expedition back to Mazimbu - a former ANC settlement situated in Tanzania. The travelling contingent was made up of eighteen (18) people.

 

In a nation building effort, Somafco X Trust in partnership with the BHP Billiton Development Trust, Umsobomvu Youth Fund, AngloGold Ashanti, City Press, Metro FM Talk and Xarrabooks, launched a writing competition which enabled 10 South African winners to participate in this historic trip to a place which protected exiled South Africans and educated the future of this country.

 

This place was the frontier of the struggle for freedom, but it achieved this nurturing by moulding the most potent weapon in any struggle that a human being can encounter. It nurtured the minds of young South Africans.

 

It is critical to note that some of the winners were former students of the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College and to them; this was going back to a place they once called home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Objectives

 

The objectives of Tiyende Pamodzi are:

 

  1. Keeping the historical memory of Somafco and Solomon Mahlangu alive such that the principles which Solomon Mahlangu died for and practiced at Somafco are promoted.

 

  1. Celebrate our heritage in a manner that empowers and fosters social cohesion and appreciation of our hard won freedom, by all South Africans.

 

  1. Promote, in practical way and through the youth, the process of the African rebirth and virtues of the Nepad programme.

 

  1. Build on the relations that were formed in struggle.

 

 

Account of the Days in Tanzania

 

The group arrived on the evening of the 6th of July. Touch down was extremely emotional for those who were repatriated back to South Africa as far back as 1991/2. For first time travellers departing and arriving safely was a success and milestone on its own. The night was spent at the Heritage Motel in Dar er Salaam.

 

02:00 o’clock dinner in the dark

 

Arriving at the motel, the journey was not short of drama. We found out that the manager had resold our apartments (claiming the rooms on that floor were flooded by a mysterious tsunami) and this then necessitated that some people must sleep in double beds together. We also realized that the sleeping arrangements required pairing.

 

After the arrangements were settled, it was time to get some food. As we arrived late for dinner, we had to go around ‘town’ looking for food. But to get to that point we had to sort out currency issues. At this time of the night, this would prove a little bit of a challenge. After some deliberations and a late night hunt for a bureau de change and also avoiding the familiar fast food franchises (Steers and Debonaires), we eventually found an eatery - a rather dark eatery with red lights covering a tree. The only food item that was available for consumption at that time was meat and though we weren’t sure which kind of meat we were served, it was, nevertheless good enough to calm the hungry lions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choir very early in the morning

 

South Africa shares a similar cultural influence of the Islamic people; however, it was reaffirmed to most that we were no longer in South Africa as the myriad very loud Islamic call to prayer woke many of us up.  It was great to officially wake up and look out the balcony to see the slow pace of activity picking up in Dar er Salaam. It is nothing compared to the mad rush that would have characterized 07:00 in the morning in parts of South Africa’s economic hubs or main cities. We managed get ready for breakfast and sort out some currency in the morning and off to Morogoro we were!

 

Beautiful place, humble life and….. a great road

 

 

 

The road to Morogoro is impressive

 

As many of you may imagine, life in Tanzania was rudimentary and to a large extent it remains beautifully so. People go about their trade and activities. But on our way out, there was a bit of activity taking place. We later learnt that this day (07/07/08) was a public holiday known as SABA SABA - a large trade fair for farmers. But as we were behind schedule and the Metro FM crew had to prepare for their live outside broadcast, we could not detour to mingle.  But also, there was this fiery desire to get to Mazimbu as soon as possible.

 

The scenery was absolutely picturesque and very calming. What was surprising, pleasantly so, was the great condition of the road to Morogoro. It is in top condition and we are certain that had we been driven by an adventurous driver in a private car, we would have made it to Mororgoro in less than the 4 hours that we clocked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arriving in Morogoro

 

Morogoro buzzing with entrepreneurial flair and companies from South Africa such as Vodacom.

 

By now the pressures of ensuring that all ducks are in a row for the live broadcast were escalating and whilst we enjoyed looking at Morogoro and absorbing the contrast in pace and life, we had to make a stop at a local church where the local radio station (Ukweli FM) is located. Team radio then sorted out their broadcast schedule and after that we went to Hotel Oasis to check-in and grab some food before we headed for MAZIMBU.

 

It was late at this point; as a result we struggled a little bit to identify our neighbouring hamlet called Dark City, to an extent that the name LIGHT CITY was proposed because the place has improved considerably. For those who may not know, Dark City was a community adjacent to Mazimbu. It is important to note that Mazimbu was one of the lands donated to the ANC by the Tanzanian government; hence ANC people and related individuals lived there.