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Speech in honour of the victims and survivors of the Bulhoek Massacre of 1921
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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
SPEECH BY PREMIER STOFILE
 IN HONOUR OF VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF THE MASSACRE OF 1921
 AT NTABELANGA (BULHOEK)
 ON 27 APRIL 2001



South Africa is notorious for the lopsided way in which her history is recorded. Many villains are commemorated as heroes and many heroes 
are not ever mentioned. As in the rest of life in our country, this dichotomy tends to assume racial characteristics. The latter being the 
most accurate reflection of our history viz: a racially segregated past. In that situation “right” was always associated with the fairer 
colour.

The commemoration of the heroes that fell at Ntabethemba (Bulhoek) in 1921 attempts to correct such distortions of history. It tries to 
credit and honour where they are due. It tries to preserve our proud heritage. Members of the Church of God and the Saints of Christ 
(Israelites) under the leadership of the Prophet Mgijima were moved down by government troops during a prayer session. This forced-removal-
turned-into-a massacre was acclaimed by the media and the apologists of the regime as a commendable step to “put the natives in their 
place.” Smuts and his troops were condemned by the world and by patriotic South Africans. None could return the dead.

In partnership with our government, the descendants of those slain in 1921 put up a monument to those who fell for their faith and their 
land. This way our history will be corrected and our heritage not vulgarized.The monument is very important for Queenstown and South 
Africa. It marks another beacon in the restoration of our pride and dignity. It offers us with a shrine to repent of our past inequities 
and to built a better and harmonious future.

May the spirit of those who fell inspire us all with their values of self-reliance, food security, community service, uprightness and 
prosperity. May posterity drink from their courage and resilience of faith and become the generation that will work for the South Africa 
dreamt of by our ancestors.

REV. M.A. STOFILE
 PREMIER: EASTERN CAPE

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