Gugulethu Seven Live On In a New South Africa

Remembering the Gugulethu Seven killings on Human Right's Day

At about 07h30 in the morning of the 3rd March 1986, South Africa's Apartheid security forces led by a Vlakplaas-based unit killed seven young black men, who would later be known as the Gugulethu Seven.

The seven young men were members of the African National Congress's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, which was the military wing of the ANC. The Meaning of Umkhonto we Sizwe is ‘Speer of the Nation’.

Led into an ambush by double agents of the security police the men were shot at the corner of NY1 and NY111 (Native Yard 1 and Native Yard 111) and in a field nearby. All seven were shot in the head and suffered numerous gunshot wounds.

The monument was sculpted by the South African artists Donovan Ward and Paul Hendricks and unveiled in 2005 by Jacob Zuma.

The names of the men now known as the Gugulethu Seven are: Zandisile Zenith Mjobo; Zola Alfred Swelani, Mandla Simon Mxinwa, Godfrey Jabulani Miya, Themba Mlifi, Zabonke John Konile and Christopher ‘ Rasta’ Piet.

It is remembering the Gugulethu Seven that once again makes us remember where we come from, and the incredible journey this South Africa has been making since.

The Gugulethu Seven is one of the quietly impressive highlights of the township tours organised by Cape Capers, a great tour operator we selected that promotes sustainable and responsible (township) tourism.

A very special tour of Apartheid stories is done the Journey of Remembrance with the Direct Action Centre for Peace and Memory (DAC). Read our feature on the Journey of Remembrance. This tour is lead by MK veterans, some of which were present on the day of the Gugulethu Seven killing.

It was interesting to see another “township tour” come past, with people quickly getting out of their tour bus, taking some quick pictures and leaving as quickly as they arrived , while we were sitting down under the shade of one of the most significant trees in the country, listening to one of the tour guide’s descriptions of what he saw on that fatal day in 1986.

Gugulethu Seven related features:
• Journey of Remembrance Tour
• Cape Capers Township Tour
• Gugulethu Seven Monument

Subscribe to our free Editor's Picks Newsletter to learn more about township tourism, and cultural tours and sights of Cape Town.

Molo Says: “Human Rights Day is one of the most important South African public holidays, with many cultural events taking place on this day."

Keep an eye on our events section for special events taking place in Cape Town and read our feature on South African Public Holidays for more information.