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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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Site Created: October, 1999 | Site Updated: October, 1999
Copyright © 1999-2000 ANC Archives
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