MATOLA RAID MEMORIAL PROJECT UNVEILING CEREMONY: 11 SEPTEMBER 2015 BRIEFING DOCUMENT (INTERNAL DISCUSSION DOCUMENT: UPDATED 03 SEPTEMBER 2015)
BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT 1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The South African National Defence Force (SANDF), under the apartheid government and its strategy of destabilizing Frontline States that supported the banned liberation movements, raided the African National Congress (ANC) safe houses on 30 31 January 1981 in Matola. Matola is a suburb in the outskirts of Maputo Mozambique. The raided houses served as transit points for umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) cadres. Sixteen MK cadres and one Mozambican lost their lives and many survived. Twelve (12) members of the then ANC military wing umkhontowe Sizwe and one Mozambican citizen were instantly killed in that dastardly act of atrocity. Another one Mduduzi Sibanyoni later died in June 1981 following injuries sustained during the raid. According to records of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) reports, two more other former MK combatants who were abducted during the raid were reportedly later brutally killed in the Vlakplaas Camp. Another Mozambican was also reportedly abducted. The raid constituted part of the Apartheid destabilization campaign against countries and peoples who supported the liberation struggle led by the African National Congress. Such similar raids as well as assassinations were conducted in Zimbabwe, Angola, Swaziland, Zambia, Lesotho, France, to mention but a few. In honor and memory of those fallen heroes and their affected families, the SA and Mozambican governments initiated a project on 17th and 28th February 2002. Those involved in the initiation of this historic project included the former Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Science and Technology of SA, the Honorable Bridgette Mabandla; the then Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, former SA High Commissioner in Mozambique, HE Jessie Duarte ; the Mozambican Deputy Minister of the then Education and Culture, HE Antonio Covane. 2
On 2nd August 2002, the proposal to construct the Monument and Interpretation Centre at Matola Mozambique to commemorate and memorialize events of 1981 at Matola, Mozambique was officially adopted. The former Minister of Arts and Culture Dr. Pallo Jordan approved the project in 2008. The project became officially active with the sod turning ceremony, which was held in July 2009. On 14th February 2011, the Mozambican and South African governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and unveiled a Marquette for the project. The Minister of Culture, Mozambique, Mr Armando Artur Joao, signed on behalf of the Mozambican government. For South Africa, the MoU was signed by Minister Paul Mashatile. That MOU paved the way for the establishment of commemoration structures that consist of a Monument and Interpretative Centre which would honour the fallen heroes for the sterling role they played in the struggle for liberation in SA and also pay homage to the sacrifices and contributions made by the Mozambicans towards a free, non racial and democratic SA. On the 8th July 2011 the SA Minister of Arts and Culture and his Mozambican counterpart, the Minister of Culture, laid a Foundation Stone at a ceremony held in Matola Mozambique. After thorough consultations, both countries have finally agreed that the project would be completed and officially launched by both the Presidents of the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique respectively. 2. CONTEXT AND EMPHASIS Communications around the celebrations on the Matola Memorial Monument should be reflective of the overall objective of creating social cohesion and nation building amongst communities, united in their diversity. Communication should emphasise the broader government strategy to celebrate the liberation heritage route and thus reaffirming our liberation heritage as part of our country s collective heritage. 3
The brief background above is outlining the significance of the Matola Memorial Monument within the context of creating and strengthening our relationship with our neighboring countries in general and Mozambique in particular and also working for the consolidation of the African Agenda. It is important to note that the launch and unveiling of Matola Memorial Monument will be a contribution to the transformation of the heritage landscape in the country and the region. The brief strategy is dependent on strategic concerted effort taken to ensure a wellcoordinated and integrated communication that is aligned and promoting implementation of the government policies on heritage and culture as led by the Department of Arts and Culture and aimed at attaining sustainable socio economic development. 3. COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT The project consists of four inter related components that are being implemented, namely: 3.1 The Lhangene Cemetery The 13 martyrs of the Matola Raid were laid to rest at the Lhangene Cemetery in Maputo. They are: William Khanyile Stephen Ngcobo Motso Mokgabudi Levison Solly Manakaza Mdudzi Guma Bheki Felix Magubane Khrisna Godwin Rabilal Lancelot Hadebe Sizinzo Skweyiya Themba Dimba Nduna Mvula Daniel Mokhosi Molebatsi Mduduzi Sibanyoni In December 2014, one of the martyrs, Mr Thabang Bookholane, was exhumed and repatriated to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, at the behest of his family and assisted by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government. 4
Most of the families of the deceased were traced, except, unfortunately, for the following cadres: Nduna Mvula, Daniel Mokhosi Molebatsi, Mduduzi Sibanyoni. Mr John Dimba, who survived the raid and later died in South Africa in 2012, was cremated. His last wishes were observed when his ashes were interred on 29 August 2015, at the same site as his comrades, in Llhangene Cenemetry. Alongside these 13 martyrs are also 8 South Africans, including Ruth First, who also died in Maputo during the course of the liberation struggle. They are: Lewis Rapitsi Freddy Habedi Betty Elizabeth Mioche Stanley Mthembu Augustine Nomasonto Philemon Joe Matlakala Peter France Wreaths will be laid on the graves of these heroes as part of the activities of the 11 September 2015. In addition, at Lhangene Cemetery there is also the grave where Moses Mabhida once lay. He was exhumed and repatriated to South Africa for reburial on December 1, 2006. These graves will be communicated about in relation to the Matola Monument and Interpretive Centre as jointly, they form an integral part of the developing Liberation Heritage Route. 3.2 The construction of the monument and the interpretative Centre Construction of the Matola Monument and Interpretive Centre was completed in 2013, having been started in 2011 on land donated by Mozambique. The initial estimation of cost was R25 million. Provision was made in the MoU that Mozambique would cover, of the initial estimated costs, up to 37% of additional costs. In time, the overall costs came to R 45 million, which the DAC paid. 5
In the conceptualisation of the Monument three Red Obelisks were installed. They symbolize the 3 houses which were raided and are orientated in the direction of the houses, placed on radiating lines towards the location of the houses. The thirteen concrete pillars represent the Frontline States and the unwavering support they gave to the Liberation movements; one of these pillars is similarly representative of International solidarity. Part of the design of the Monument incorporates a Wreathe Wall. AT this Wall is a cut out of the maps of South Africa and Mozambique. The Architects designed it in such a way that, at midday on the 31 January, every year, the maps of South Africa and Mozambique intersect perfectly in the centre of the platform. This architectural feat symbolises the Unity and relationship between the 2 States. The pathway across the Monument is used daily by the community and hence the space around it is continuously alive and integrated into the surrounding community. 3.3 The development and mounting of the exhibition The design of the Matola Monument & Interpretive Centre was done by Mpendulo Design Architects, an architectural firm contracted by the Department of Public Works on behalf of the DAC. The content was derived thorugh a reference group, listed below, who gave guidance throughout the development of the material in the Centre. The members of the Reference Group are: Mr Thendo Ramagoma, a heritage expert from the National Heritage Council (NHC) Mr Ntshanga Siseko a heritage expert from the National Heritage Council (NHC) Mr Sipho Mdanda a heritage expert from Freedom Park Mr Troy Phily seconded from the Luthuli Museum 6
Mr Mbulelo Musi a survivor of the Matola Raid and a member of the umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans (MKMVA) and official of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans Prof Wally Serote a heritage expert, struggle stalwart, poet/author and former CEO of Freedom Park The Interpretive Centre is orientated in an East West direction. The sun screen, which is the exterior cladding of the Centre, is slashed representing the effect of explosions on the houses under attack during the raid and allowing flashes of light into the building in deliberately unstructured patterns. Upon entry into the Centre the visitor will be exposed to impressive words from President OR Tambo and President Samora Machel, stated at the funerals of the martyrs. The famous words uttered by President Samora Machel, Que Venham! (Let them Come!) are echoed on the exterior paving of the Monument. The mural that flows along a curved wall explores the evolution of the struggle for liberation. It draws on history to illustrate colonialism all the way through apartheid and, as the ramp gently slopes downward, to the struggle for liberation that took on the form of guerilla warfare where cadres went underground to fight against oppression. This downward slope of the ramp symbolises this move into the underground. The visitor will then experience the liberation struggle history and be exposed to a video of persons who spoke about the Matola Raid. Eventually, a ramp leads the visitor out of the underground space and slopes upward, symbolising the gradual emergence into liberation and freedom, above ground, as light floods the ramp. The first floor, which will is a multi purpose use space is intended to serve the community which was affected by the raid and provides a place for internet workstations for use by learners. There will, in time, be a kiosk which will sell curios and keepsakes from the Centre. 4. Interim Management The Permanent Secretary of Mozambique Ministry of Culture (PS) and the Acting Director General of South Africa s Arts and Culture Department (DG) at the meeting 7
on 17 th August 2015 have drafted the following, regarding the operationalisation of the Centre: 4.1. Phase 1 Current Structure The Inter Governmental Steering Committee provides strategic guidance on the development of the Institution and institutional arrangements. It is cochaired by the Directors General of the two departments of Culture. There is a Technical Working Committee that engages bi weekly on the management and maintenance of the institution. It comprises officials of bit the Mozambican and South African Governments. Currently the project manager (SA), deputy Interim manager (MZ) one admin staff, Security and the cleaning take care of the monument. 4.2 Phase 2 Transition Phase From 1 st September 2015 an Interim Management Structure, comprised of Project Managers of the respective Governments together with their necessary support staff, will oversee the day to day running of the Centre. The Mozambican Ministry of Culture and Tourism will provide tour guides who will conduct regular tours of the Monument and the Centre. It has been agreed that the hours of operation will follow the norm of museum operating hours in Mozambique. 4.3 Phase 3 Interim Management Structure governed by an Association Agreement Between September 2015 and 31 March 2016 the Inter Governmental Steering Committee will oversee the development of an Association Agreement. This Association Agreement will govern the relationship between the Samora Machel Memorial at Mbuzini and the Matola Raid Monument & Interpretive Centre. 4.4 Phase 4 Implementation of the Flagship Institution It is envisaged that, over a period of 3 years, the 2 parties wil derive the appropriate governance model that will enable the establishment of a unique cross border Flagship Cultural Institution. 8
5. Key Stakeholders Listed below are the key stakeholders who have been intrinsic to the development of the Matola Monument and Interpretive Centre. 5.1 The Department of Arts and Culture (RSA) 5.2 The South African High Commission in Mozambique (RSA) 5.3 The Department of Public Works (RSA) 5.4 The Department of Military Veterans (RSA) 5.5 The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (RSA) 5.6 The South African Heritage Resources Agency (RSA) 5.7 The National Heritage Council (RSA) 5.8 umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association (MKVA) 5.9 The Ministry of Culture (Mozambique) 5.10 The Ministry of Public Works (Mozambique) 5.11 The Maputo Provincial Government (Mozambique) 5.12 The Matola Local Government (Mozambique) 5.13 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mozambique) 5.14 The Political Commission (Mozambique) 6. Annexures: Annexure A Progress Report Annexure B Family Programme Annexure C Draft Programme for the 11 September 2015 9