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Gugulethu Seven Memorial

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MiriamMannak
MiriamMannak
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Gugulethu Seven Memorial

  • February 16, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by MiriamMannak from Cape Town, South Africa
Gugulethu Seven Memorial

South Africa is scattered with monuments and memorials that commemorate events that happened during the apartheid era. One of them is the recently erected Gugulethu Seven in the township of Gugulethu (which means "Our Pride").

On March 3, 1986, very early in the morning, seven young black activists from Gugulethu were ambushed by South African police and shot dead. According to two police officers who played a role in the killing, they did what they did because they believed the young men had planned to attack a police van.

Fourteen years later on March 21, 2000, Human Rights Day, a memorial was unveiled to remember the Gugulethu Seven.

The impressive memorial consists of seven statue-like granite blocks representing each of the lives and deaths of the young men. The strength portrayed by the memorial gave me goosebumps. It made me think of all these people who dedicated their lives to the struggle for freedom against oppression. It made me think of the ones who died and were killed.

It also made me think about the progress this country has made. Let’s be frank: Eleven or more years ago, it was unthinkable for a white girl to be shown around in a township by a black South African.

Where?
Gugulethu Memorial
Corner of NY1 and NY111
Gugulethu Township

From journal 48 Hours in the Townships - Langa & Gugulethu

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