More research and documentation needs to be done to unravel South Africa’s history. This emerged at the unveiling of a sculpture of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The sculpture – by renowned artist Adam Madebe – was unveiled at the Kedar Heritage Lodge near Rustenburg in the North West.
Churchill, together with South African icons including Sol Plaatje, were honoured for their great contribution to the Anglo Boer war that paved the future of modern South Africa.
Robert Forsyth of Recreation Africa says: “We have centered our endeavours around the South African war or the Anglo Boer war and we have tried to bring to the public key figures that played a part in the war and the fact that South Africa was the stamping ground that turned these young men into world heroes.”
With many of the tales of the Anglo Boer war lacking details about the native Africans experiences and contributions.
Historians say more research and documentation needs to be done to unravel South Africa’s history.
Historian Rodger Webster says: “There is an aspect of that war which until this day in time has been brushed under the carpet and it was Prof Benard Mabenga who first started to look and research the role of the black people in the SA war.”
A sentiment shared by many in attendance.
Queen mother of the Royal Bafokeng Semane Molotlegi says: “It is important that we write our own history, because if other people write our history, it’s never going to be what the history is all about. It’s important because you learn from it.”
The event highlights that not only is history about dates, places and wars. But also about the people who fill the spaces between them.
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