State has failed us, say pupils

Rochelle de Kock and Shaanaaz de Jager

GOVERNMENT, hear our cries and stop infringing on our rights to quality education and safety and security. This was the message from Grade 11 Uitenhage pupils at a Nelson Mandela Bay event to commemorate Human Rights Day yesterday.

In honour of the 28 people killed by police in Langa township, Uitenhage, on March 21 1985, the Bay municipality held a memorial event at the Babs Madlakane Community Hall in KwaNobuhle. It was preceded by wreath-laying ceremonies at Nomathamsanqa Public School in Despatch, the Langa Massacre memorial site and the Bucwa Street cemetery inKwaNobuhle.

The event was largely attended by ANC leaders and members, including regional deputy chairman Chippa Ngcolomba, regional secretary Zandisile Qupe, incoming Bay mayor Ben Fihla and former regional chairman Nceba Faku.