Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma to be commemorated and celebrated through a memorial lecture
On Thursday, 13 December 2018, the National Ministry of Arts and Culture will lead an inter-governmental effort, with the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), the Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture; National Heritage Council; Maqoma Legacy Group; Maqoma Foundation; Maqoma Legacy Management Trust; South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and Amathole District Municipality to celebrate the life and times of Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma through a memorial lecture themed “The Role of Traditional Leadership in the liberation struggle against Colonialism and Apartheid: Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma Honoured” at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg, King Williamstown.
Honourable Deputy Minister Ms Makhotso Maggie Sotyu, MP will deliver a key memorial lecture in an effort to reawaken Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma’s legacy.
This memorial lecture will see the renowned Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma’s strength, leadership and contribution during the 19th century frontier wars more appreciated and known by the local and international communities.
He was one of the selfless, organic military strategist who fought the colonial government against land dispossession.
The Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Makhotso Maggie Sotyu affirms the revival of this legacy, saying:
“The late Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma was the first Black African to be incarcerated at Robben Island as a leader who fought fiercely against the Colonial rulers to reclaim the natives’ captured and stolen land in the Eastern Cape. Traditional leadership is critical for societal development, preservation of our culture, traditions and rich heritage.
These leaders played a critical role pre and post-colonial times. Their heroism was not properly narrated as it was recorded by the colonisers. It is time that we take up the baton of rewriting and narrating our traditional leadership history the African way.
Through such commemorations, we intend to revive and ignite the legacy of Chief Maqoma and rewrite his story to be known most importantly by the Xhosa nation, South Africans as well as the international community”.
The Department of Arts and Culture also believes that the legacy of traditional leadership participation in the liberation struggle should be accorded the respect by properly documenting and commemorating it to inspire the nation to be proud of its African heritage.
The Ministry of Arts and Culture will thus lead an inter-governmental effort of continuing reviving the Maqoma Legacy by unveiling the tombstone and plaque of the late Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma on 25th January 2019 and further intends to declare Ntaba ka Ndoda a National Heritage Site.
For more information and interview requests contact Media Liaison Officer, Nkhumeleni Thovhakale at 0828950482/ email: nkhumelenit@dac.gov.za