In recognition of the contributions made by our Liberation struggle icons in the Gert Sibande District, the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation embarked on various projects in the Govan Mbeki municipality. These included the unveiling three times life-size statue of Gert Sibande, a life-size statue of Nokuthula Simelane, the regeneration of the Nomoya Masilela Museum and the development of an amphitheatre at the site.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON NOMOYA MASILELA
Nomoya Christina Masilela was born on 14 August 1968 in eMzinoni Township in the Gert Sibande Region. She was an active member of COSAS and SAYCO and was the first victim to be killed while still at Mzinoni High School (Bethal).
The democratic government has honored her cause by renaming Bethal Museum after her. The museum tells her story and that of other struggle heroes and heroines in the province like Nomoya Masilela, Gert Sibande and Nokuthula Simelane who all played an important role during the liberation struggle
- Nomoya Christina Masilela was born on 14 August 1968 in EMzinoni Township in the now Gert Sibande Region.
- She was one of the active members of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and she was a student at Mzinoni High School.
- She died cruelly at the hands of the apartheid security forces in 1985 after she was shot for no apparent reason when she was walking home after school.
- Nomoya was doing Standard Nine when she was shot and she was a first victim who was fatally wounded that year in 1985 in Mzinoni. That year was a period of unrest in the country that eventually led to a state of emergency being declared by the apartheid government.
- Nomoya died young but her spirit lives on as she wanted to see a just and democratic South Africa.
- The democratic government has honored her by renaming the newly revamped Bethal Museum after her, which is today known as the Nomoya Masilela Museum and tells her story and that of other struggle heroes and heroines.
- Government continues to honour these heroes and heroines in the province like Nomoya Masilela, Gert Sibande and Nokuthula Simelane who all played an important role during the liberation struggle. The regenaration project and official opening seeks to monumentalize the legacy of these fallen heroes and heroines
Nomoya Masilela Museum , formerly known as Bethal museum , is nestled within the heart of Bethal’s cultural precinct , in the central hub of the town.
This museum is dedicated to those freedom fighters that worked and lived for the emancipation of all South Africans from the iron fist of racial discrimation .
Today their efforts are celebrated in the Rainbow Nation that this beautif country has becomeThe Museum showcases the likes of Gert sibande ( a leader among the farm workers ) , Nokuthula Simelane ( an umkhonto wesizwe member that was tortured and killed for her efforts), Ruth First ( known for her anti-apartheid activism), and Hendry Nxumalo ( an investigative journalist acclaimed for his gudty exposes during the past regime) .
These ones are fascinating to meet and inspiring to remember.The entrance is free , but donations go a long way in keeping the facility and it’s exhibition current , relevant , helpful and in good condition. The exhibition comprises 24 individual parts with a number of extra-special features.The Museum building was built in 1910 , and restored 100 years later to it’s former glory.
It has statues of some of the freedom fighting greats. It was named after a student that was shot and killed during a student protest in the township in the mid-1980’s.Thereafter the building was declared one of SOUTH AFRICA’S national monuments
