‘Don’t let the free South Africa die with us’
| Author | Tamlynne Thompson tamlynne.thompson@ACM.co.za |
| Published date | 01 September 2022 |
| Publication title | Atlantic Sun |
The former political detainee tells her story of enduring 104 days of solitary confinement under the apartheid-era laws in 1988, before being brought to trial with 13 other political activists in what became known as the Yengeni Trial of 1989, and was later dubbed the Rainbow Trial.
Professor Fester, who is also a human rights activist and a lecturer at UCT’s Centre for African Studies, said putting the book together was a painful process. “I relived the trauma of solitary confinement, but I am much relieved that I’ve achieved this.”
She said the idea to write the book had been coming on for years, however, the inspiration came from her time living and working in Rwanda, where, she said, the healing process after the genocide was very active.
“It was amazing to see the active engagement and this inspired me to try to start a discussion with my then torturer.”
She said she called her then torturer to ask him for an interview, but he shouted at her and she felt herself go into “victim mode”. “After he was done, I said to him ‘I actually just want to interview you’. There, I felt I took my power back and the healing began.”
The assistant director of DMV, Michael Masala, said Professor Fes
ter’s book was very relevant and digs deeper into the pain that the veterans and freedom fighters went through. “Imagine if you were given a name by your parents to identify you, and someone took it away and replaced it with a number? It’s the worst thing for a human.”
He said there were many veterans who helped fight apartheid and they needed to speak about what happened to them.
“No one can tell your story better than you, because you experienced it. I urge the veterans to pen your stories – tell your stories.”
He said the book launch was part of a series of memorial lectures and launches that will take place, however, the dates were not yet confirmed.
“Many people have passed without telling their stories. We will cement our history, like the statues we see of Jan van Riebeek and Cecil John Rhodes in the city, but no memories of our struggle heroes. Don't let the free South Africa die with us.”
Women rights activist and struggle stalwart, Dr Mildred Ramakaba-Lesiea, known fondly as Mme from Langa, also attended the book launch, despite her turning 90 next year. She mentioned her age in reference to the...
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