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Unveiling of the Bulhoek massacre Heritage Memorial
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Sports, Arts Culture

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MEDIA RELEASE
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 24 MAY 2001

UNVEILING OF BULHOEK MASSACRE HERITAGE MEMORIAL

The Museums and Heritage Directorate of the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture will unveil the Bulhoek Massacre 
Heritage Memorial in Queenstown on Sunday, 27 May 2001.

It was on 24 May 1921 when a number of public people converged on Ntabelanga/Bulhoek to hear the Prophet of God, Enoch Jonas Mgijima. The 
authorities of the day viewed the Israelites followers as part of a political drive for a liberation struggle in South Africa. The Smuts 
government, together with 800 police and soldiers were assembled and dispatched to Ntabelanga/Bulhoek to arrest congregants. They destroyed 
houses and forced the Israelites to return to their place of origin. The police and soldiers opened fire on unarmed people and killed more 
than 300 of them.

The department has contributed an amount of R50 000 towards the erection of the memorial. It is in partnership with Saints of God-Church of 
Christ. The memorial provides recognition for the neglected heritage sites, redress imbalances of the past in the portrayal of the history 
of the province, promote nation building and reconciliation. The government also believes that its involvement in projects such as these 
will restore the dignity of communities and give meaning to the TRC processes.

Dignitaries including members of the Saints of God-Church of Christ from all over the country, the Business Fraternity, the Ministerial 
Fraternity, MPLs and Professor Robert Edgar from Howard University in Washington who has written a book about the massacre will attend. 
The Premier of the Eastern Cape, Rev.Makhenkesi Stofile, accompanied by the MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Mrs Nosimo 
Balindlela will officiate the occasion.

Issued by Department of Sport, Recreation, Art and Culture
 Communications Officer Masiza Mazizi  040  6095870 / 082 378 7847,Fax:040  6350 603

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