Council approves initiatives celebrating Madiba, Philip Kgosana and Hamilton Naki

The City of Cape Town’s Council yesterday, 24 August 2017, approved initiatives aimed at celebrating and acknowledging the contributions made by the late President Nelson Mandela, the struggle leader Philip Kgosana, and Dr Hamilton Naki, laboratory assistant to cardiac surgeon Dr Christiaan Barnard. Read more below:

Following Council’s approval, the City in collaboration with the Western Cape Government’s Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the Sport Department, will commence with the heritage project to commemorate the life and work of Madiba and those who were involved in South Africa’s transition to democracy.

The Western Cape Government will fund the life-size statue of late President Nelson Mandela which is to be installed on the balcony at the City Hall where Madiba delivered his first public address after his release from prison on 11 February 1990.

‘The project includes a permanent exhibition at the City Hall. The exhibit will consist of interpretive panels, audio-visual equipment, and interactive displays to commemorate Madiba’s legacy and to honour the organisations and people who were involved in the liberation struggle, the events leading up to Mandela’s release, and the transition to democracy,’ said the Chairperson of the City’s Naming and Nomination Committee, Councillor Brett Herron.

The memorialisation and permanent exhibition at the City Hall forms part of the National Liberation Heritage Route, an initiative of the National Heritage Council and the National Department of Tourism.

‘The City Hall falls within the National Liberation Heritage Route, but little has been done to date to highlight its prominence and the significant events that took place here in 1990. The permanent exhibition will assist us to mine the full potential of the City Hall by turning it into a popular tourist attraction where visitors can visualise the events and have a full experience of our journey to democracy. Numerous people and organisations had a hand in one of our nation’s most historic moments and we want to honour them as well,’ said Councillor Herron.

Council also approved the renaming of De Waal Drive after the late Philip Kgosana, a Struggle leader and former regional secretary of the Pan Africanist Congress in the Western Cape.

Philip Kgosana led a Pan Africanist Congress march of approximately 30 000 protestors from Langa and Nyanga along De Waal Drive on 30 March 1960.

‘Kgosana was only 23 years old at the time, marching at the front, leading the protestors against the pass laws along De Waal Drive and Roeland Street. Kgosana was arrested later that afternoon, and held in solitary confinement for 21 days in Roeland Straat jail – charged with incitement to public violence, breaking the pass laws and marching to Cape Town without the apartheid government’s permission,’ said Councillor Herron.

Kgosana was eventually granted bail after nine months in jail and went into exile after his release. He passed away on 19 April 2017.

‘It is befitting renaming De Waal Drive after this remarkable man who faced the apartheid forces at such a young age. Philip was aware of the proposal to rename De Waal Drive to commemorate the role he played in freeing South Africans from the apartheid regime. His son, Mohlabani, said Philip was “deeply honoured” by the gesture,’ said Councillor Herron.

Council also approved the renaming of Salazar Plain on the Foreshore after the late Dr Hamilton Naki, the laboratory assistant to cardiac surgeon Dr Christiaan Barnard.

Salazar Plain is located between Rua Vasco da Gama and Rua Bartholomeu Dias, opposite the new Christiaan Barnard Hospital.

‘Hamilton Naki was a healthcare scientist from Langa who was denied the opportunity for formal medical training due to the discriminatory policies of the then apartheid government. Naki assisted Dr Christiaan Barnard in his preparations to perform the world’s first successful heart transplant in the Groote Schuur Hospital in 1967. Naki’s involvement in the preparations for this procedure received very little, if any, acknowledgement at the time. 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of this historic moment, offering us the ideal opportunity to celebrate and honour the contribution that Naki made,’ said Councillor Herron.

Naki received the National Order of Maphungubwe and an honorary degree in medicine after his retirement. He passed away on 29 May 2005, aged 78.

‘The naming of suburbs, public spaces, bridges and roads is pivotal in building an inclusive city and must reflect the full spectrum of our rich history and diversity. This did not happen during the apartheid era and our naming and renaming policy and programme seeks to address that. Celebrating our local heroes is part of this very important process,’ said Councillor Herron.

Statement issued by Councillor Brett Herron, Chairperson of the City’s Naming and Nomination Committee, City of Cape Town, 26 August 2017