LEHURUTSHE WOMEN MARCHERS HONOURED WITH A MONUMENT

LEHURUTSHE WOMEN MARCHERS HONOURED WITH A MONUMENT  

By Maboni Kgabi

MEC Tlhapi inspecting the monument honouring the 1956 Lehurutshe women marchers. Photo : Maboni Kgabi

Recognising and honouring the women who fought for the liberation of South Africa is one aspect in our history government cannot over look.

These were the words of MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation (Acsr), Mme Virginia Tlhapi, during the provincial Women’s Day celebration 2021 in Lehurutshe.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a monument in Welbedacht, Lehurutshe, to honour the local women who marched against Pass Laws in 1956. They were brutally stopped by the police on their way to hand over their demands to the Commissioner in Zeerust.

The event was a collaboration between Acsr and Tlhako Ya Pele, a cultural and historic research institute based in Zeerust.

The monument is situated at the spot where the marches were forcefully stopped. The day was celebrated under the theme: “The year of Challotte Maxeke: Realising Women’s Rights”.

The Lehurutshe march was held on the same day as the one by the 20 000 women from across the country, who marched on the Union Building in protest against the extension of the Pass Laws to African women.

Mme Tlhapi said the province celebrated culture and heritage while preserving the history of the liberation struggle. Tlhapi added that the women were heroes who were in the forefront of the fight against Apartheid.

 “We remember our gallant heroines who fought tooth and nail for the freedom the people of the North West are enjoying today. It is also important that we educate young women of the history of Bahurutshe. In that way we will be promoting social cohesion and nation building.”

Tlhako Ya Pele Chair and founder, Mr Zacharia Tolo, said his institution sought to dig deeper into what transpired on the day of the women’s march and how young women could benefit from the sweat and sacrifice of the Lehurutshe women.

Tolo said Tlhako Ya Pele were embarking on an in-depth research about the Bahurutshe women’s march and other activities that surrounded the march.

“Our wish is to acquire as much information as possible to impart knowledge to youngsters,” said Tolo.

A local resident, Ms Mamotse Selepe, of Dinokana village near Welbedacht in Lehurutshe said the monument would help educate the youth about the past.

“This monument is important because it is living proof that the march did happen,” added Selepe.