The Mitchells Plain birthplace of the United Democratic Front (UDF), which played a pivotal role in the fight against apartheid, has officially been declared a provincial heritage site.
The historical meeting on 20 August 1983, at the Rocklands Community Mall, was attended by over 4000 people, including freedom fighters Dr. Alan Boesak, Cameron Dugmore and Mohammed Valli Moosa, who led the clarion call for the UDF.
The UDF was a non-racial coalition of about 400 civic, church, students’, workers’ and other organisations.
On Tuesday, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, officially unveiled the Provincial Heritage Site plaque at the hall.
Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, unveiled the Provincial Heritage Site. Video: Venecia America
Marais said the site, Erf 11553, which includes the Rocklands Community Hall, the library, the Memorial Square and the Community Healthcare Centre, has both political and social significance in that the community hall was built during the early 1980s and provided a convenient space for mass resistance and large scale political gatherings that were organised by anti-apartheid organisations.
Addressing the 100 or so guests, Dr. Boesak said the Rocklands Community Hall is the birthplace of the UDF: “It was on these very railings we clung to, to be able to meet on that first day, this place, being what it is, was the birthplace of the UDF and is a sign of resistance.
“This is where the greatness of that generation was born. The UDF existed to change the country and liberate our people.”
Khoisan Bradley van Sitters, aka IIHui, performed a traditional ceremony during which he burnt kruie and offered buchu water from an ostrich egg shell to the guests.
Khoisan Bradley van Sitters, aka IIHui, performed a traditional ceremony. Video: Venecia America
Minister Marais said: “Together with the expert assistance of Heritage Western Cape and the City of Cape Town’s facilitation, the social and political significance of the Rocklands Community Hall will now officially be acknowledged and will rightfully be promoted in the public domain as a Provincial Heritage Site.”
Rocklands resident Mogamat Jappie, 52, says he was also at the hall when the UDF was launched, but the place was so packed that he had to stand outside with hundreds of other people.
Heritage site in Plain
With the heritage site being celebrated, he says Marais should do more than put up a plaque, by also upgrading the site.
“We are happy that this event took place today, it’s long overdue.”