By ORAPELENG MATSHEDISO
26 September 2024- As South African government receives the mortal remains of its 49 fallen liberation stalwarts, it has to be noted that North West will be receiving the mortal remains of comrade Aron Tiro from Braklaagte, near Zeerust and comrade Mabe Klaas Bogosing from Ramosadi village, in Mahikeng.
It is important to receive these heroes of our country and the province with a befitting honour, discipline and respect. Their sacrifices should not go unnoticed, together with leaders such as comrade Moses Kotane, JB Marks, Thandi Modise, Ruth Mompati, Dende Tladi, Kaone Lobelo, Kgosi Dick Montshioa, Dr Silas Modiri Moleme and Kgosi Ramotshere Moiloa.
Many of our living and departed cadres have through their determination and sacrifices ensured that our province contributes to the liberation of our country. I take this opportune moment to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Otsile Ntsoane and many other writers for their continuous contribution to write about the role and contribution of Batswana in the liberation struggle.
This history is important because it has to be passed from generation to generation. As the North West celebrates Heritage Day, I am tempted to disturb the two of our sons from their coffins, who have landed in the country from Zambia.
I want to tell comrade Aaron Tiro and comrade Mabe Klaas Bogosing that we celebrate heritage annually on 24 September, but the majority of our dams that resonate with our culture are still in the hands of a few individual capitalists, who charge us a lot of money to access them.
The Taung Skull is still out of the province and for many years, a call has been made for its return to Taung. My fellow comrades, many game farms are still in the hands of a few whites who refuse to share the land with us.
I must also tell you that, the ANC that you belonged to, its military wing, Umkhondo We Sizwe (MK), has attracted many questionable characters in its ranks and files.
Characters that continue to destroy and tarnish its reputation. The movement is bleeding and as you come to rest in the soil of your province, may your spirit revisit the hearts of members and leaders of the movement to remind us of your sacrifices and the tasks of this epoch, as we renew the ANC to grapple with the challenges of the moment.
We are fighting each other for positions, not that we want to use those positions to further the liberation struggle, but to loot state resources and deployed and employ our relatives and families. We are doing things that are opposite to what you fought and died for.
May the arrival of your mortal reminds serves as a re-kindling and re-ignition of the revolution spirit of selflessness in pursuit of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).
Yesterday, it pained my heart and I even shed tears, when I heard the daughter of the former Secretary General of the ANC, comrade Duma Nokwe saying an ANC scarf was found on his neck since his burial in 1978. A scarf that symbolised his dedication to the liberation and his love for the ANC and the people of the continent.
May the souls of all the 49 heroes and heroines rest in peace.
(Note: Mr Orapeleng Matshediso is written this in his personal capacity and Taung DailyNews and its associates, do not agree nor disagree with the content of the article. Whatever that has been raised in this article remains Mr Matshediso’s views)
The Guardian 