Pretoria - The Gauteng government has honoured the life of activist and liberation struggle stalwart Bertha Gxowa by unveiling a life-size statue of her at the Ke-Ditselane Cultural Village in Katlehong.
This event is part of celebrating Women’s Month and is jointly organised by the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ekurhuleni Metro and the Bertha Gxowa Foundation.
Gxowa, whose grave was declared a provincial heritage site in November 2014, was one of the women who actively took part in the liberation struggle.
She was at the forefront of the 1956 women's march to the Union Buildings in protest against the pass laws.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura praised Mam Bertha as a woman who loved and worked for the country.
“She worked for the country with her entire heart. She wanted a government that fights corruption. The government will be fighting corruption,” he said.
As such, Premier Makhura committed that women would be the centre of the economy.
“Government will make sure that women play a critical economic role in our government as that would be one of the things that Mam Bertha would have liked to achieve during her time.”
Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele, who graced the occasion, praised Mam Bertha as a true leader who was all about service.
“Mam Bertha was all about service, a leader and a true legend. The freedom we are living in is the product of Mam Bertha.”
Gauteng MEC for Sport, Molebatsi Bopape, committed to honouring more liberation icons.
“We will continue to honour our liberation struggle heroes and heroines. We have already identified David Bopape, Dr Fabian Riberio and his wife as the next liberation icons to be honoured,” said MEC Bopape.
Gxowa passed away in November 2010 at the age of 76 from complications after an operation. - SAnews.gov.za
