2024 – COMMUNITY & FAMILY
This years event and theme, were deeply special to the Masilela Family and that of the extended Family of Number 43. It was a reminiscence of last year’s challenging occurrences.
The theme was “COMMUNITY & FAMILY”. The theme is informed by the important role these ‘units’ played during the liberation struggle and how they continue to be essential today. It was also informed by how we grew to appreciate these during the COVID-19 lockdown. Lastly, the occurrences leading to last year’s Legacy Event, namely, the deaths of the Patriarch of the Masilela Family, uSolomon Buthongo Masilela and the Mother to our dear Guest Speaker, uMama Sally Motlana – were central. May their souls rest in peace. As a result of these untimely and sad departures of people deeply precious to us, the 2023 Annual Gala Dinner was transformed into a Celebration of Lives. Deep gratitude went to Bishops Malusi Mpumlwana and Zwanini Shabalala, who led the Celebration.
uMama Sally, was recognised for the role she played as activist Mother, Selfless servant of the people, fighter of women emancipation, fighter for a non-racial, democratic and just South Africa. Her passing, at the time she did, bound us closely as families. Activist Sally Motlana reflected the history of our struggle (sowetanlive.co.za)
This year’s guest speaker for the Annual Public Lecture was none other than, Tony Ehrenreich. Tony is the Cosatu Provincial Secretary – Western Cape. He shared his thoughts about the role of organsied labour, as a critical community that brought South Africa to where it is today. He also painted a picture about the likely future impact of this community on the country. In his presentation, the role of uMagogo was central for the liberated South Africa, focus on leadership and accountability
Our agitator for this year’s Business Breakfast Roundtable was Simon Denny. Simon is the CEO of Goldman Sachs International Bank, Johannesburg Branch. He dealt with the topic of Preparing Youth Beyond the Place of Work in South Africa, to a Global World. He focused his attention on entrepreneurship and what constraints South Africa poses for these dreams.
In celebrating ‘Family’, we also recognised a couple that has been instrumental and one that stands for the simple respect as well as simple, yet significant, sacrifices for the Masilela Family and Number 43. They did something unheard of in the African tradition. They postponed their wedding, a month before it was scheduled in 2016, to accommodate the Number 43 Legacy Event. This couple, also representing their Families, is none other than Fikile & Maqhawe Dlamini.
2023 – Justice for All & Celebration of Lives
This year’s Legacy Event was unprecedented and historic in many respects. It was the first Legacy Event to be hosted outside of the borders of Swaziland (Eswatini). It was held at Khaya Ibhubesi Conference Centre in Parys, 23-24 June 2023.
Secondly, the Event was engulfed by two significant deaths, in its long history, both, within the same week leading to the Event. This was deeply tragic and may their souls rest in peace.
First was the death of the Arch-architect of Number 43, uSolomon Buthongo Masilela, on the 19th of June, who died at the age of 98 years and 10 months. This was followed by the death of the Mother to our Guest Speaker, Mama Sally Motlana, on the morning of the Gala Dinner. This necessitated altering the programme significantly, to celebrate the lives that were lost. They shall both be dearly remembered.
Despite this unfortunate detour, once again, we were blessed with an illustrious assembly of guests of honour.
The Number 43 Legacy Event, had two trailblazing South Africans and guest speakers. First was the Retired Advocate Kgomotso Moroka SC, who dealt with the much elusive subject of Justice For All – Is it Too Late?. The other was Songezo Zibi, who dealt with the subject of What is the Economic Future of the African Youth? Both these themes sit at the heart of African development and civilisation.
The theme of this year, Justice for All, is a deeply emotional subject for the Masilela Family as it is the very and most most basic protection that our Mother, uMagogo, was denied – till her death.
2020 – Finally 2022 Culture&Freedom
This Event was historically unique, significant and emotionally special, having been postponed from 2020 due to COVID-19. It was a huge and momentous celebratory point in our time that we could still be together after such an unprecedented scourge. The rude interruption by COVID-19 felt like a deeply painful and scary journey back from the brink.
At this occasion, we recognised three icons of our history as it relates to Culture&Freedom. They were bestowed with the, now much coveted, Magogo Award. The first two icons are critical to our struggle for liberation, none other than Bantu Stephen Biko and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, who were bestowed, posthumously. These recognitions were made even more special with Number 43, by the significance of their timing. If it was not for the unfortunate intervention of COVID-19, Biko would have been recognised in 2020 and Sobukwe in 2021 – where we would have, respectively, commemorated 43 years since they passed under the brutish apartheid regime. These are truly historic recognitions.
The third, was uGogo Esther Mahlangu (Dr), a gentle giant of Ndebele cultural preservation through her sacred Ndebele hand art (Umgwalo). This is a skill that has been passed down many generations, which she continues to do with a passion – passing it on to others. She is now the global Grandmother of art and colour. UGogo was recognised for her role in upholding culture in the post-1994 South Africa.
The celebration and recognition of these icons marked a unique chapter, in understanding the values that informed the story of the liberation of South Africa, by the world. It was a great occasion to celebrate.
Joining this list of illustrious icons, was our agitator for this year’s Business Roundtable Breakfast, Delphine Govender, Owner, Chief Investment Officer of Perpetua Investment Managers. Her participation was truly unique, where she shared with the audience, mostly young, her role in business, as a young, black female professional. Given the context of this year’s theme, she will pay attention to economic and financial freedom.
In preparing for this event we could not ignore the context within which it was happening, as the social and political landscape is rapidly changing – both within South Africa and the rest of the continent. It was interesting how these developments coincided with a theme that was decided close to year earlier.
It was found appropriate to remind ourselves of the power of values and how these carried us in the past and will continue to do so, way into our futures. We will remind ourselves of how our war was fought on many fronts for pertinent freedoms, such as: political freedom; economic freedom; intellectual freedom; cultural freedom; as well as Dignity.
Underpinning these, was culture, in whatever way we define it, which in turn drives political behaviour, company values, household and societal success.
We continue to define, experience and use culture in various ways. It continues to influence the way we behave in the household, at school, in institutions of higher learning, in religion, in the workplace as well as in politics. It shapes the way in which we relate to each other and amongst us and other peoples.
This year’s logo was most appropriate. It is the thumb print of uButhongo, the Arch architect of Number 43 … signifying South Africa’s first democratic election and his subtle hand in the struggle for our FREEDOM.
In support of the theme, this year’s dress code was traditional attire with a shade of yellow – Ndebele yellow.
Then COVID-19 Gripped the World (2020 and 2021)
2019 Church&State – Religion&Politics
The theme was most appropriate, for today’s social and political developments in our region – ‘CHURCH&STATE – Religion&Politics’. It was quite important to remind us of the role played by these two institutions, towards the liberation of South Africa as well as how they will continue to influence our lives across the Southern African region – for generations to come. It is the same relationship that gave birth to the migration from Soweto to Number 43 Trelawney Park, in 1965, when uButhongo and uMakgomo staged a protest against the atrocious system of Bantu education. A new movement was born. (see Number 43 Trelawney Park; kwaMagogo pg 3)
This theme was also meant to celebrate the latest project of the Number 43 Foundation, the historic launch (September 2018) of the now much sought after book, LARRY – Simply Larry. This tells the story of the power of faith in building the lives of many boys, converting them to men, in Swaziland (now Eswatini), South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. In this short space of time, the book has come to be referred to as the True Book of Life. It is faith that kept the Number 43 movement alive, focused and determined for over 40 years, in exile. Fr Larry McDonnell was at the centre of this epoch changing liberation of South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
UMagogo was honoured by a highly spiritual contgent of Men (and Women) of the cloth, from both South Africa and Swaziland.
Archbishop Emeritus
Desmond Tutu
2018 The Power of Music
The theme for this particular year, ‘Celebrating the Power of Music’ was quite apt as we were going through a bump in our governance, globally. We thought a little spice of music and reminding ourselves of how more difficult times were overcome in the past, was most appropriate. As the African idiom goes, ‘When we are sad we sing, when we are happy we sing, when someone is born we sing, when someone dies we sing.’ Even when uMagogo died we sang.
Music has always been a centrepiece and remains an integral part of the Masilela family. “[It] was key in keeping and binding the family values which were characterised by a deep fear of God.” (Number 43 @50 pg 53) Our history would not be complete if we did not honour the role and impact of music in our lives. The 10th Legacy Event will be strengthened with the introduction of two extra events, including a jazz night.
In honour of uMagogo, a distinguished assembly of music icoms, from both South Africa and Swaziland, graced the occasion. They staged the most historic Jazz Night – free of charge.
2017 Underage – Youth as Agents of Change
The 2017 theme of UNDERAGE; Celebrating Youth as Agents of Change, draws from the very foundations of the existence of Number 43. Children defined Magogo and Buthongo’s love for life. The migration from Soweto to Swaziland in 1965, was in search for a better education for their children. Every sacrifice since then, was towards the fulfilment of this dream. The importance of children and education has always been the centrepiece in this historical journey. To this day, we clearly observe the role our youth have defined for themselves in the dynamic of our socio-economic lives.
In the history of Number 43, Youth straddles that of yesteryear, pivoted by the year 1976, and that of today. Given this inter-generational Youth complex, this year’s event took the format of a panel discussion, of youth from across time, with questions from the floor.
To acknowledge the role played by our children in charting a new path, the Number 43 Foundation recognised the four girls of Pretoria Girls High, for their BLACK HAIR MUST RISE MOVEMENT in 2016.
There would be no better year to celebrate our youth. It is:
2016 Celebrating Widows of the Struggle
The 2016 theme drew from the recognition of mothers and wives of the struggle, who suffered immensely under the direct emotional and physical torture of the apartheid regime. This year, the Masilela Family and the Foundation recognised the ‘Widows of Our Struggle’under the theme ‘Angekhe Salibala – We Shall Never Forget’.
The Annual Legacy Event continues to celebrate and recognise the works and sacrifices of our history-makers – The Pioneers. We shall never forget their sacrifices. This history lives on, deeply etched in our memories. It was an honourable and proud moment to recognise those who rocked the cradle whilst guns were blazing.
2015 Celebrating Pioneers – Number 43 @ 50 Years in Swaziland
Befitting this year’s event, we have invited three Heads of State, of countries immediately instrumental in the origination, development and preservation of this Legacy. There would be no better way of recognising the achievements of the past half century. Also as part of this historic celebration, the event recognised significant individuals and institutions – who were iconic in shaping our history and/or have utilised the new South Africa for the betterment of societies around them.
