On Tuesday, the 60th anniversary of forced removals of indigenous African communities from East London to Mdantsane will be commemorated at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
The event will also honour the township’s boxing pioneer Nkosana ‘Happyboy’ Mgxaji.
Forcible removals from East London’s inner-city to Mdantsane in 1963 were part of the notorious Group Areas Act of 1950.
Tototo Bottoman was one of the first people to live in the second biggest township in the country. He moved from Duncan Village in 1965.
“I moved to Mdantsane during the fourth removal. I was 24 then.
“Initially we had problems getting a house. Eventually we got a house in NU3.”
During the 1983 bus boycott, the Ciskei regime opened fire on Mdantsane protesters.
Despite the hardships experienced by the communities of Mdantsane, they rose from the ashes like a phoenix and began to define their existence outside the imposed poverty, dispossession and oppression
Department of sports recreation, arts & culture spokesperson Andile Nduna said communities had decided not to use Ciskei-owned buses.
On August 4 1983, police blocked all paths leading to local railway stations.
They eventually opened fire, killing more than 20 people at the Egerton station.
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of that fateful incident.
“Despite the hardships experienced by the communities of Mdantsane, they rose from the ashes like a phoenix and began to define their existence outside the imposed poverty, dispossession and oppression.”
The 82-year-old Bottoman now lives alone in NU3; his three children live in other provinces.
“Though things were a bit tough in those days we lived an easy life.
“Taxi fare was 10 cents to town from Mdantsane. It was nine cents when using a bus.
“Five litres of petrol was 20 cents and rent was not more than R5.
“There used to be big well-known businesses, such as the first dry cleaner owned by Solomzi Ngxitywa which was located in NU1.
“There used to be gates operated by the police at the entrance to the township.
“The police asked for identification documents when we entered the township”, said Bottomaan.
Mgxaji is a symbolic representation of that success and was an inspiration and big influence on the local youth who aspired to reach great heights as he did during his illustrious career
Bottoman said he hoped the township would develop, and there would be employment opportunities for the youth.
Nduna said Mdantsane had established itself as SA’s home of boxing.
Boxers emerged from the township to become world-class champions dominating at provincial, national, and international levels.
“Mgxaji is a symbolic representation of that success and was an inspiration and big influence on the local youth who aspired to reach great heights as he did during his illustrious career.
“On September 2 1972, Mgxaji, Mdantsane’s first great boxing hero, beat Durban fighter Moses Mthembu in a non-title fight at Sisa Dukashe Stadium, which was half-built at the time, but was the only venue that could accommodate the huge crowds that Mgxaji attracted.”
Nduna said black boxers could not use the bigger venues reserved for whites.
Mgxaji, who won the SA junior-lightweight title in 1973, inspired generations of champions.
The townships of Mdantsane and Duncan Village have produced at least 14 world class boxing champions and 46 South African boxing champions.
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