Today in Kimberley's History
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Joe Slovo is born - 1926
Joe Slovo, the former South African Communist Party (SACP) and African National Congress (ANC) leader and Minister of Housing was born in Lithuania. From 1950s Slovo became a victim of the government repressive legislations. In 1954 he was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act of 1951. However, Slovo and other political activists proceeded with their political engagements clandestinely. He was instrumental in the drafting of the Freedom Charter, but was unable to attend the Congress of the People held in Kliptown because of his restriction order. In 1963 Slovo skipped the country to work on African National Congress external missions. After the unbanning of the liberation movements in 1990 by the then state president F.W De Klerk, Slovo made his way back to the country. After first South Africa democratic elections, which were won by the ANC, Slovo became Member of Parliament and Minister of Housing in the Government of National Unity.
Joe Slovo, the former South African Communist Party (SACP) and African National Congress (ANC) leader and Minister of Housing was born in Lithuania. From 1950s Slovo became a victim of the government repressive legislations. In 1954 he was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act of 1951. However, Slovo and other political activists proceeded with their political engagements clandestinely. He was instrumental in the drafting of the Freedom Charter, but was unable to attend the Congress of the People held in Kliptown because of his restriction order. In 1963 Slovo skipped the country to work on African National Congress external missions. After the unbanning of the liberation movements in 1990 by the then state president F.W De Klerk, Slovo made his way back to the country. After first South Africa democratic elections, which were won by the ANC, Slovo became Member of Parliament and Minister of Housing in the Government of National Unity.
Former SANNC President Sefako Mapogo Makgatho dies - 1951
Sefako Mapogo Makgatho was born at GaMphahlele, in the Pietersburg district in Transvaal (now Limpopo province) in 1861. He was the son of Chief Kgorutlhe Josiah Makgatho of the Makgatho chieftaincy at GaMphahlele. Before embarking on a political career, Makgato wa a teacher and a journalist. Makgatho joined the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) later renamed the African National Congress (ANC). He became its president at the tail end of World War I, in 1917. As President of the SANNC, Makgatho worked hard to ensure that the movement remained a key factor in the struggle against segregation. It was during Makgatho’s presidency that the ANC is thought to have become radicalized. In 1917 and 1920 Makgatho ensured that the ANC supported the municipal workers strike and the miners’ strike in Johannesburg. In 1923 he was forced to step down and was replaced by Z. K. Mahabane. Makgatho remained President of the Transvaal ANC until the mid 1930s and continued to exert considerable influence in the movement. He died on 23 May 1951 aged 90, the same year, Nelson Mandela’s son from his first marriage with Evelyn was born. In paying tribute to Sefako Makgatho, Mandela named his son after him.
Sefako Mapogo Makgatho was born at GaMphahlele, in the Pietersburg district in Transvaal (now Limpopo province) in 1861. He was the son of Chief Kgorutlhe Josiah Makgatho of the Makgatho chieftaincy at GaMphahlele. Before embarking on a political career, Makgato wa a teacher and a journalist. Makgatho joined the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) later renamed the African National Congress (ANC). He became its president at the tail end of World War I, in 1917. As President of the SANNC, Makgatho worked hard to ensure that the movement remained a key factor in the struggle against segregation. It was during Makgatho’s presidency that the ANC is thought to have become radicalized. In 1917 and 1920 Makgatho ensured that the ANC supported the municipal workers strike and the miners’ strike in Johannesburg. In 1923 he was forced to step down and was replaced by Z. K. Mahabane. Makgatho remained President of the Transvaal ANC until the mid 1930s and continued to exert considerable influence in the movement. He died on 23 May 1951 aged 90, the same year, Nelson Mandela’s son from his first marriage with Evelyn was born. In paying tribute to Sefako Makgatho, Mandela named his son after him.