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The Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College

The Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (SOMAFCO) was established by the African National Congress at the Settlements of Mazimbu and Dakawa in Tanzania between 1977 and 1990 to cater for the exodus of youth and adults after the Soweto Uprising, and subsequent periods of turmoil and repression in South Africa. SOMAFCO provided more than formal education and vocational training for nursery, primary, secondarv and adult learners. It comprised of various related projects, such as farms, factories, health care centres, arts and craft centres, libraries, construction, maintenance and service facilities. The objective was to integrate education, training and production for purposes of self reliance during the years of exile for thousands of political refugees, while at the same time empowering them to contribute towards the reconstruction of the new South Africa. SOMAFCO was thus a special and unique collection of institutions which played a significant role in the liberation struggle that became an important symbol of oppisition to the Apartheid regime.

In July 1992, following the unbanning of the liberation movements in South Africa and the return home of exiles, SOMAFCO was closed and the two Settlements were handed over to the Government of Tanzania by the then president of the ANC, the late Oliver Tambo. Given the considerable quantity and importance of the SOMAFCO archive, it was decided to bring the material to South Africa for historical purposes and house them at the University of Fort Hare as part of the ANC archive. In September 1992, a container load of archival material, books and artifacts arrived at Fort Hare. The archival collection consists, inter alia, of correspondence, minutes, reports, curricula, syllabi, certificates, examination papers and report cards. The collection has been processed, inventoried, boxed and shelved and is now accessible to researchers. The colourful collection of artifacts from SOMAFCO include items produced by students, such as, paintings, drawings and sculptures. Other items include banners, posters, traditional costumes, school uniforms, trophies, etc.

These artifacts bring out the particular character of SOMAFCO and will be part of the museum of resistance envisaged at Fort Hare. Together with the rest of the ANC archives, the SOMAFCO collection succeeds in documenting not only the functioning of the Apartheid system, but also the different stages that characterised the liberation struggle which was intrumental in ending oppresson in South Africa. More specifically the history of SOMAFCO forms part of the history of struggle, as opposition to Apartheid involved more than a political struggle. An important terrain of struggle involved the creation of a new educational system and a new education policy for post-Apartheid South Africa. More importantly, given the deficiencies created by Bantu Education, SOMAFCO showed that these deficiencies could be overcome with the right resources in a relatively short period.

Nursery School
The Charlotte Maxeke or the Charlottes nursery school and supported by the ANC catered for children who were between zero to five years of age.
 
Primary School
Primary school children participating in some exercices
 
SecondarySchool

Secondary school students engaged in a group session

The Arts
Cultral activities played an important role in educating and
entertainment in the settlements


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