Freedom Park Trust honours struggle heroes

A number of liberation struggle heroes are among 24 individuals listed on Wednesday for inclusion in the Freedom Park's Gallery of Leaders. Freedom Park CEO Wally Serote said Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo, Helen Joseph, Albert Luthuli and Bram Fischer were among those that made the list. Serote said the process of validating leaders for selection took about seven years to complete.

"They were outstanding leaders. They would have exercised their intellectual powers to find a way to create a liveable world. They were  outstanding because they did not spare any effort to sacrifice themselves to the struggle."

The national leaders were chosen for their struggle against repression, exploitation and racism.

International and continental leaders were considered for their contribution to the liberation of South Africa and all the repressed in  general.

All the leaders have since died which was another criteria.

Continental leaders included late Mozambican President Samora Machel  and Amilcar Lopes Cabral, a modern theorist of the African revolution.

On the international list was Che Guevara, a revolutionary who fought alongside former Cuban President Fidel Castro, and Francoise Louverture who fought for the Haiti colony's struggle for independence.

Serote said the names should be added to the Gallery of Leaders and would be open for public debate.

"See yourselves as part and parcel [of the process] to challenge or confirm.

"Let it be absolutely in the public eye," said Serote.

For more information, visit the |+| Freedom Park website.

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