Founded:

The Foundation was formally founded in Nellmapius, Mamelodi Pretoria, on the 23rd of February 2008, in the presence and with the blessing of uButhongo Solomon Masilela. During that meeting a Board of eight members was established. However, the Trust was registered in July of 2007

Aim:

The main objective of setting up the Foundation is to motivate for, monitor and manage the process of converting the House into a historical monument for both Swaziland and South Africa. Given its historical importance to both countries, it has been found appropriate to bestow this recognition:

” Zuma, nitasi bambisa vele, kutsi lendzawo sale isuka kuba kaMasilela, ibe yindzawo letaba yemlandvo. Keteke kutsi, le kwe kutsi, umaku bhalwa umlandvo weANC, nekuphila kweANC kaNgwane, iya fakeka lendzawo. Nalaba betemvelo netekuvakasha, kube nguletinye yeletindzawo.”

Lutfo Dlamini, Minister of Enterprise and Employment, Swaziland, 23 June 2007

” I must thank the parents of the author and those who participated in writing the book. I think it was great that you came to Swaziland to stay here and therefore created a house for the ANC that we utilised and overused. Even with the harassment, Elias showed me the famous (mango) tree. Why was the house never closed down?… It was a useful house, even for the police. It was like a bus (Sibomber) that would travel between Mozambique and Mbabane (in the 1970’s). Siyabonga Magogo!

Jacob Zuma, Deputy President of the ANC, 23 June 2007

“House Number 43 as a place for reconciliation, peace and harmony. UMagogo never cared whether you were a member of the PAC or ANC. Nalabancane bata kwati kutsi bekwentekani ngesikhatsi semzabalaza“

Absalom Themba Dlamini, Prime Minister of Swaziland, 23 June 2007

“Let me thank the Masilela family and uMagogo. You have made us proud!. Your book gives a balanced historical perspective on the role that was played by the Kingdom of eSwatini, in the liberation of South Africa. We have always known that the true picture of the Kingdom’s positive contribution to the liberation of the Republic of South Africa, would one day be brought to the limelight – for all to appreciate; and you have done just that. The Swazi Nation thanks you”

His Majesty, King Mswati III, 23 June 2007

Donations:

In order to meet our objectives, the Boards of the Number 43 Trust appeal to readers to support their fundraising drive, through two avenues:

Buy the Book

Royalties through supporting sales promotion, by buying the book Number 43 Trelawney Park; kwaMagogo. The book is available through Exclusive Books in South Africa and Swaziland Textbooks and Stationery in Swaziland.

Buy Online

Deposit

Name of Account – Number 43 Trelawney; kwaMagogo
Bank – Standard Bank
Account – Market Link
Account Number – 015045099
Branch – Fourways Crossing
Branch code – 00995300

The Board:

Dombolo Masilela – Treasurer
Zwelibanzi Masilela – Secretary
Lucky Masilela – Convener/Chairperson
Nonhlanhla Masilela
Shikwane Kekana
Swazi Masilela
Thulile Masilela

Background

The idea of a Foundation is an outcome of comments received during the book launch in June 2007 in Swaziland, consultations with key people, as well as a natural extension of a wide ranging debate brought about by the publication of this book.

Both sides of the border, during the occasion of the launch of the book, raised the idea of turning the house into a national/historical site. For the Masilela family, this was seen and embraced as an opportunity to use the House as a repository of the family history side by side with that of the struggle for South Africa’s independence as waged from Swaziland. We are confident that this aim will be shared by many people who have come to appreciate the importance of Number 43.

It is important that this process, embraced by many, should not be left to the state machinery but should involve the participation of both the immediate and extended families of Number 43. The extended family and friends should take ownership of the process as well as its leadership to the point of effectively delivering on the ideal of a historical site.

Organisational structure:

The Foundation will be run through two structures, one in South Africa and the other in Swaziland. The structure in South Africa will principally be responsible for fund raising and marketing of the historical site. Meanwhile, the structure in Swaziland will be responsible for the day to day running of the entity and growing it to the requisite global recognition it deserves.

Activities

• Run and manage the House as a historical site, ensuring that it is self-sustaining
• Raise funds to run and grow the importance of this historical site, and position it as the repository of the history of both Swaziland and South Africa, to the extent that it complements the contributions of individuals and societies to the last and biggest liberation struggle of the continent
• Run research projects to collect, document and preserve the historical facts relevant to Number 43 and the liberation of South Africa
• Run a project to identify and re-unite families, relatives and friends that separated during the struggle as well as a result of the retreat back to South Africa after independence
• Run a project that will help identify Swazi nationals that contributed to South Africa’s liberation and facilitate the requisite recognition of these individuals
• Run public lectures to help increase the understanding amongst the youth in particular, of the importance of countries like Swaziland and its people to the liberation of South Africa

The Board