Commemorative walk between two towns

Born and bred in the Waterberg region’s Mookgophong township, Abiot Mahlatse Ledwaba has taken it upon himself to remember and honour those who lost their lives in 1976 while fighting for a better education.

Ledwaba (24) will be embarking on his second annual “Walk of Magnificence” on Saturday 6 July.

The 43 km walk will commence in his home town of Mookgophong, and end in Modimolle.

Ledwaba’s spokesperson, Thabiso Molapisi, said the main objective of the walk is to remember students who sacrificed their lives, while trying to stage a peaceful protest against Afrikaans as a
medium of instruction in their classrooms.

“Many of the students never returned home, while some were never seen again by their families and friends,” he said.

Molapisi said although many of the students never reached their planned destination, their actions would forever be embedded in history as they fought a good fight.

“Fourty-three years later we see activists such as Mcebo Dlamini, Naledi Chirwa, Zulaikha Patel and Abiot Mahlatse Ledwaba shedding light and protesting for the indifferences they still
experience in today’s educational system,” Molapisi said.

He told The BEAT the walk serves as an awareness campaign on the growth and setbacks of the current educational system in South Africa.

Last year during the inaugural Walk of Magnificence, Ledwaba was joined by his cousin Khutjo.

This year he is inviting everyone who wants to be part of this campaign to come and join as he pays tribute to the fallen heroes.

Molapisi also urged motorists to join in the activities by just hooting in salutation when they come across Ledwaba on the road.

— The BEAT