Nervy but necessary visit to old gallows

YOUNG people were taken to the Gallows Museum at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre yesterday, where political prisoners were executed by the apartheid government.

The visit was made possible by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation as part of Youth Day commemoration.

The organisation selected the young people from its Kathrada Youth Club in the south of Johannesburg.

They were trained to be activists in their communities and assisted in tackling social issues and injustices often affecting young people, including racism and bullying in schools.

However, notwithstanding how informative the tour was, the young crowds found the experience to be scary because it brought them closer to the reality of the harshest things that used to happen before democracy.

Some of the young people said the sight of hanging ropes, mortuary fridges, face sheets, shackles and coffins and bags used to carry bodies to the Mamelodi Cemetery gave them goosebumps.

However, 20-year-old Megan Andrews said the experience was necessary to give a full appreciation of the horrific things that happened to people who fought for the freedom she now enjoys.

“I have certainly learnt a lot and I will be honest, this experience made me realise we take for granted what used to happen to our people.

“To think families would come see their loved ones just a day before they were executed, and when it was done they could not open the sack to verify it was indeed their loved ones … all they could see were name tags.”

Ruwayda Comroodien was struck by the fact that Struggle icons who were her age and younger were being executed in such a gruesome way just so that today she could enjoy her freedom and have equal rights.

“Imagine, I am 24 yet Solomon Mahlangu was only 22 when he was killed, because he fought for me to be able to do what I do and walk where I want and not be beaten or chased away because of the colour of my skin. I am touched and a bit emotional right now,” she said.

Delani Majola of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said they wanted the youngsters to draw from some of the aspects of South Africa’s liberation history.

The intention was also for them to reflect on how they could tackle contemporary issues and take forward the fight against corruption, state capture and deepening democracy.