Media Room

Media Statement

Sedibeng Commemorates 27th Anniversary of Ratanda Bus Shooting

Sedibeng District Municipality in partnership with Lesedi Local Municipality held a commemoration of a Ratanda Bus shooting on Monday, 30 September 2019.
The Sedibeng District Municipality is spearheading a recognition campaign which is dedicated to the role played by the heroes and heroines of the Ratanda Bus Shooting that took place on the 3rd of September 1991, their bus was attacked on its way back from Balfore, where shots were fired and several people suffered severe injuries and some sadly lost their lives. Another attack took place on the 28th of September 1992, where a grenade bomb was thrown into a moving bus, with people on their way back from work.

This commemorative event seeks to promote and develop the heritage story of the Sedibeng Region more appropriately as we stimulate the political emphasis through the intended programme which will further remind the people of Ratanda in particular and Sedibeng region about this heroic struggle experienced of this historical event. The people of Ratanda and its neighbouring areas were part of this commemoration in honouring the victims of our struggle towards freedom and democracy when the entire country will be observing the national heritage month.  

The programme ran in two (2) phases, with the first phase starting at 9am at an allocated Erf no 1575 site Cnr Protea and Moloi street next to Ratanda cemetery wherein, the Sedibeng Executive Mayor Cllr Busisiwe Modisakeng and Lesedi Executive Mayor Cllr Lerato Maloka, accompanied by their Speakers of Council Cllr Andiswa Mosai of Sedibeng and Cllr Mluleki Nkosi of Lesedi honoured this event in a form of sod turning followed by wreath laying.
The second phase which was the main event took place at Ratanda old hall in a form of a memorial lecture. Delegates along with survivors; Ratanda Civic Association and Khulumani support group were in attendance.

Ms Ouma Msimanga one of the survivors, gave a heartbreaking speech saying “I lost my legs from the grenade bombing on that day, since then, I’ve been in and out of hospital because of the pain that I’m suffering from, but grateful that today our story is told “she said.

As we celebrate heritage month under the Theme “Celebrating 25 years of democracy, Growing South Africa together”.
The Executive Mayor Cllr Busisiwe Modisakeng in her key note address said “The site will be protected and declared a heritage site as well as erecting a plaque with names of victims and a brief history, so that the future generation to come may never forget where we come from”. In her closing she alluded that this programme will be held annually.

 

Issued by External Communications:
Send all media queries to :
Khosi Masie
khosim@sedibeng.gov.za

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