In her speech the minister expressed concern that coming generations would soon forget about the country’s struggle for freedom and added that monumentalising of the past should continue.
“This (the monument) is a footprint in the history of this town that will be remembered by the coming generations and we hope that this is not the end of the road,” said Kota-Fredericks who urged local council to pursue further possibilities for remembrance.
“We are looking forward to the renaming of streets and the local airport after the local heroes and heroines so that tourists could come and witness the political history of this town,” said Kota- Fredericks, a statement that enjoyed enthusiastic support from councillors and the crowd.
Fezile Hanse, Andile Majola and Patrick Madikane lost their lives during the country’s struggle for freedom 27 years ago in Bongolethu, Oudtshoorn. Police opened fire on a group of youths protesting adjacent the house of a security police officer following Youth Day celebrations on 17 June 1985.
Kota-Fredericks expressed the wish that streets in town as well as the local airport be renamed.
PHOTOS: JACQUES SWART, OUDTSHOORN COURANT JOURNALIST
