March is one of the most significant months in South Africa.
It is a month of defiance, a month of selflessness most of all a month to
honour and celebrate the martyred. On the 21st March 1960 our people
under the leadership of the Pan African Congress challenged the status quo by
handing in the dompases, the march led to a blood bath which to this day the
actual number of people that were killed by the askaris cannot be verified. This
was dubbed the Sharpeville massacre and subsequently the day as Heroes day.
The day is significant because beyond everything else it
displays the will of our people to move as a collective. It also instils in us
the living the need for sacrifice which in my vocabulary sacrifice is giving up
something of high value for something of even greater value. What is greater
than life? When you give your life away for the cause of the collective what do
you gain? This is a question I cannot be able to answer today nor in a century
to come. I simply scribble to acknowledge and give praise to the unknown.
Honour the fallen and forgotten.
It is indeed amazing how we as a society are selective in
celebrating our heroes. We embrace what media endorses; we are not free to
remember whomever we will, whenever we will. Our perceptions are policed and
channelled in accordance to required ends. We are not even aware that such is occurring;
we wallow willingly in this quagmire with the outmost contentment.
Those that lost their lives so that we gain ours would be
honoured if we could start being radical in our thinking. They would be pleased
by us being modest and carry on the torch for the absolute liberation of our
beings. They would at least smile in whatever form they are in by seeing young
people living meaningful lives that displays totally the commitment to vision
of our people. They would be humbled by our being Valliant warriors who roar
for change.
As you enjoys the crumbs of capitalism and spoils of post 94
be mindful of the sacrifices of those gone by do not squander their blood as if
it were mere swine that was slayed. Do not be a neo colonialist and oppress
your own by introducing self-serving laws. The fight is not yet over because
the current scuffle is not a fight against a race but a war against certain
principalities that fail the efforts of our heroes. I would love one day to
author a truimphant story of the present generation.
This March, do not be afraid to think outside the dictates
of society. This March, do not be timid. This March take on the spirit of 1960.
This March, remember your heroes. This March, forget party loyalty and embrace
Truthism. This March, begin a journey to the everlasting books life. This
March, do not only speak of greatness be about greatness. This March.
Yahkeem ben Israel
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