November 1, 2004
By Ndaba Dlamini
SOME of the greatest people to emerge out of the sprawling township of Soweto were honoured during a gala dinner at Mofolo Park on Friday 29 October, part of centenary celebrations for Johannesburg's largest township.
The gala dinner, attended by Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo, attracted a full house of celebrities and the who's who of the corporate world.
The glittering event was organised by Soweto 100, a private company, in partnership with the City of Johannesburg.
Honouring the legends of Soweto
Opening the function, a ceremony "to appease the ancestors and pave way for a successful evening" was conducted by an inyanga to the accompanying beat of drums and traditional dance.
Then the skies were set ablaze by a stunning display of fireworks, which set up a partying mood among the guests.
In his speech, Masondo paid homage to the township. "This celebration of Soweto's 100 years is an opportunity to recognise the historical significance of Soweto, its achievements in journalism, music, education and culture."
He added: "In most cases the significance of Soweto is not fully appreciated - especially the role the Soweto of the 1980s played in installing the new democratic dispensation. Soweto's worth can be summed up in the saying 'When Soweto coughs, the whole of Johannesburg catches flu'."
Soweto is a product of segregation and apartheid zoning, a situation which has given rise to Johannesburg being a tale of two cities, said Masondo. "It is no coincidence that Soweto is celebrating its 100 years since its birth this year when the country is also celebrating its 10 years of democracy."
Masondo said: "On behalf of the City of Johannesburg, it is a privilege to honour individuals from Soweto today, to recognise and love them for what they did for humanity."
Musical icon Abigail Kubeka, a Sowetan, performed a song called "Meadowlands" about the plight of Joburg residents when they were forcefully removed from Sophiatown and dumped in Soweto.
Then it was time to call on the "great men and women" from Soweto. Masondo, Pam Ndaba, Soweto 100 chief executive, and Johannesburg councillor Christine Walters were given the honour to present the following awards:
- Kubeka was presented with an award for her contribution to South African music;
- acclaimed photo journalist Peter Magubane for his contribution to journalism;
- Albertina Sisulu, the wife of anti-apartheid stalwart Walter Sisulu and Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela for their contribution to the liberation struggle; and
- the great Soweto boxer, Enoch "Schoolboy" Nhlapo, for his contribution to sport.
Other Sowetans honoured with awards for their contribution in various fields were: Dr Nthato Motlana; Professor Itumeleng Mosala; the minister arts and culture Pallo Jordan; James Mpanza; Richard Maponya; Gibson Kente; Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde; Percy Gqoboza; Ephraim Tshabalala; and Jabu Vilakazi.
Then the guests were treated to a variety of entertainment. Kubeka wowed the crowds with her greatest hits, while Phuzekhemisi had the guests stomping to mbaqanga music.
Food lovers were treated to a variety of cuisine straight from the townships - mogodu, mnqgushu, pap and chicken feet.
The event, as Professor Mosala summed it up, was an evening of celebrating South Africa's greatest township and its legends.
The gala dinner was one of many events lined up to celebrate Soweto's centenary.
In early October a ceremony was held at Soweto's oldest high school, Musi High in Pimville where a tree was planted by some of Soweto's prominent residents including musician Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse and Gauteng MEC for conservation and agriculture, Khabisi Mosunkutu.
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