Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who is calling for the commemoration of the late student political activist, Josephine Moshobane.
LIMPOPO Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has called for the late student activist and struggle stalwart, Josephine Segana Moshobane, to be commemorated by the whole country.
Ramathuba said this during her keynote address at the 3rd Annual Josephine Moshobane Memorial at the University of Limpopo’s Nkgopotse Tiro Hall on 27 August.
Ramathuba was joined by the University of Limpopo vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Mahlo Mokgalong, and speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Mmakoma Makhurupetja, among other dignitaries.
Moshobane, who was 24 years old when she was detained at the Haenertsburg Police Station on 31 July 1985, was a University of Limpopo student activist. She was arrested under Section 29 of the Internal Security Act after visiting a friend’s dad in exile in Botswana.
For three months, Moshobane was tortured, and her family barred from visiting her. She was also denied access to a lawyer.
She died on 3 April 1986 of serious brain damage.
Ramathuba described Moshobane, who would have turned 62 years old this year, as a brave student political activist who fought for freedom, equality, and justice.
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“Moshobane’s contribution to the struggle of our country was to liberate the people of South Africa. Therefore, as a province and country, we must start celebrating her.
“As the premier of this province, I can commit that Mme Josephine can’t only be celebrated by the University of Limpopo. We must go ahead and honour her at government and legislature level. We must reach out to the broader society so that we begin to appreciate her life,” said Ramathuba.
The premier also used her keynote address to urge women to empower each other and desist from the “Pull Her Down Syndrome” tendencies.
She stated: “Women don’t support each other enough. You continue to allow men to use you to fight each other. We must stop being used by men to fight each other. Whenever a woman rises, I must see it as me rising.”
Tryphina Dube, cousin to the late Moshobane, who also joined other dignitaries present at the memorial lecture, recalled the events leading to Moshobane’s arrest and death.
Some students, who attended the lecture, said, although they didn’t know Moshobane, they found her story inspiring.
“We’re young. We don’t know much about those who fought for our freedom. Today, we feel inspired to do more because people like Mama Josephine paid with their blood for us to be free today,” said Mpho Thosago (21), a political sciences student.
Mankaleme Thema
www.snl24.com
