True freedom fighter paved the way for others

Sport, recreation, arts & culture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe has hailed Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma for paving the way for freedom fighters.

Kontsiwe was speaking at the highly informative dialogue organised by the Daily Dispatch in partnership with DSRAC at the London City Hall on Monday evening.

The MEC said heroes and heroines who had played a pivotal role in the history of the country should be celebrated.

Kontsiwe said they had decided to put Maqoma’s contribution under the spotlight.

She said the country had a rich history, with many people who had lost their lives fighting for freedom.

“They died before they enjoyed the freedom we are enjoying today,” the MEC said.

Kontsiwe stressed the importance of celebrating the life and times of traditional leaders and the clergy who had fought for freedom before the liberation movement and the struggle.

“We’ve lifted Nkosi Maqoma as one of those traditional leaders that we need to celebrate,” she said.

“As we remember Nkosi Maqoma this year for paving the way for the freedom fighters who would follow, may his gravitas, tenacity, wisdom and his excellent leadership during the times of calamity inspire us.”

Kontsiwe challenged the speakers to also shine a spotlight on the land debate.

“There is a divine connection between humanity and land,” she said.

“For amaxhosa, land holds spiritual and economic significance.”

On behalf of Buffalo City Metro, PR councillor Noma-afrika Maxongo welcomed dignitaries who graced the occasion.

Maxongo said the current generation could learn a thing or two from the likes of Maqoma.

“We are here to celebrate the giant of our province utat’ ujongumsobomvu Maqoma,” she said.

“I know there’s yet [still a lot] that we need to learn when it comes to the great giants of the yesteryear.

“I know we have not spoken enough about the wars of dispossession in the Eastern Cape.

“I know it’s been said in many platforms that in actual fact it’s in the Eastern Cape where most of those wars took place, and other areas proudly celebrate their battles.

“It’s our great pleasure as the Buffalo City to host the annual 150 years celebration of our great warrior Nkosi Jongumsobomvu Maqoma of Amajinqqi.

“Our province is to host many activities in memory of this great giant of the wars of resistance in defence of our land.”

Maxongo commended DSRAC for its partnership with the Daily Dispatch in putting the dialogue together.

“The supplement in today’s Daily Dispatch is so informative and, frankly, we all have to make sure we read it in understanding, so that we can be better servants of our people,” she said.

“The dialogue is very important because it is a meeting of minds that is going to enrich and sharpen our thinking.

“Steve Tshwete defined these as a dialogue between the past and the present in preparation of the future.

“Nkosi Maqoma was known for many things, and one of those was intellectual capacity when strategising combat.

“His intellectual prowess is known by how he presided over his traditional court.

“He was a good listener and as such was able to apply his mind without prejudice.

“Nkosi Maqoma drank from the sweet waters of Tyhume River and almost 150 years since his death, we are gathered to drink from his fountain of wisdom.

“The Eastern Cape is indeed the home of legends and we really need to use our inheritance to better our lives and reclaim our positions in the country as a knowledge producer of the province.”

She said the undying spirit of Maqoma should be used to motivate people to be patriots and help to rebuild the country.

“We hope deliberations here are going to foster social cohesion and bring out the best in us,” she said.

“It’s time to celebrate our heroes, the ones who fought for the land we so proudly occupy.”