Cape Town - The painful histories of those who were displaced from Claremont and Newlands communities as well as the legacy of martyr Imam Abdullah Haron will be commemorated on Saturday.
As South Africans will be celebrating Heritage Day in various ways, the Claremont Main Road Mosque (CMRM) and the St. Saviour's Anglican Church will lead the second Walk of Remembrance.
The first congregants of the mosque and the church were removed from these neighbourhoods during the forced removals of the 1960s.
Former residents who will be joined by their descendants will remember their loss after being forcibly removed from the area because of the colour of their skin.
Anti-apartheid icon Haron will also be honoured, following an announcement earlier this month that an inquest into his death would take place in an open court at the Western Cape High Court from November 7 to 18.
The Imam, 45, died in police detention on September 27, 1969 after 123 days in solitary confinement. An autopsy revealed 26 bruises and wounds on his body. However, at the 1970 inquest the police claimed the bruises were caused of a fall down the stairs.
His family have since been fighting for the truth.
Haron’s daughter Fatiema Haron-Masoet said: “The reopening of the inquest will be a poignant moment.
“The Imam Haron Foundation will also be part of the walk. Our Martyrs constitute as to who we are and by commemorating their legacy is a reminder that we shall never forget.
“This walk is a historical moment in history to remind ourselves, our families and the future generations what once we were forcibly removed from our homes because of group areas act.
“This was one of the barbaric acts to remove people from their homes and communities during the early sixties.”
Russell Dudley, 63, from Saviour's Anglican Church said he will speak about the 1961 Newlands and 1972 evictions.
His grandfather in 1822 was Samuel Dudley, the lawyer who dealt with Imam Haron’s family.
“My family has experienced two acts of forced removal under group areas. The continued stay of the Dudley family in 62 Palmboom Rd Newlands was squashed in 1961.
My grandparents were nearly 70 years of age in 1961. About 50 years ago my parents and our family of 3 were evicted from 22 York Street Claremont.
These events span virtually my whole life and have shaped my person and path in life. I am part of the 1976 generation that planted seeds of change,” he said.
Event organiser Salegga Mustapha said the day will educate many of their descendants about their roots.
The morning walk will commence at the St. Saviours Anglican Church at 9am on the corner of Main Road and Bowwood Road then proceed to the Claremont Gardens to listen to various speakers about social, cultural and environmental history.
It will be followed by the launch of the Newlands /Claremont Heritage, Environmental Justice and Restitution Society (NCHERS).
Cape Times