Chris Hani, the communist! Isitya esihle asidleli

On 10 April 1993 I was a student at the University of the Western Cape. It was a saturday, I woke up early that day to go to Bellville for some supplies. I was at Foschini looking for something. The music was playing in the radio with occasional advertisements. Then the music was abruptly interrupted with a special announcement. I did not hear what the person said first but '...well known communist Christ Hani was gunned down in his house this morning, more details will be shared later' and the music continued to play. I looked around to ask someone what I just heard, people were going about with their shopping - of cause they were all white and did not understand what was my issue. My heart was racing and was so anxious as I could not confirm what I just heard.

I left the shop in a hurry and hopped into a taxi to Belhar where my residence was. As I got into the yard there was no one in sight. I passed the entrance into the courtyard and people were in the dining hall others still going there. As I entered the hall, I could feel the sad mood. No one was talking, heads were down and some shaking their heads. After a while one of the student leaders came in and addressed us. Comrades, its true. Chris Hani is dead. I felt like crying but no tears were coming out. I felt like screening but my throat was dry.

After what seemed like eternity someone started a song. At first the mood was somber, then people started to get up and the singing was loud and heated. after an hour. We were later told that there will be a mass meeting on campus on Monday for a proper briefing and update. This was a horrible day in the history of South Africa. My heart was broken. My energy was gone and I was scared what will happen when everyone realises what has happened because at that stage I was pissed off and could moer anyone who says anything unbecoming. 

Chris Hani was my hero. He resembled a real son of the soil. He gave up everything for me to be free. He endured hardships and exile to ensure that this country is free. He was revered by young and old. Rural or urban everyone knew who he was. 

I remember a few months before he was at the Independence stadium in Mthatha. People travelled for over 100 kilometers to see and listen to him. Later my neighbour narrated how he travelled without money and was lucky. He was so excited that he made it and listened to this revolutionary whom he adored and respected. He was telling me what Chris said (like a radio). People in the Eastern Cape loved him because he was one of their own and they could identify with his struggles. 

Martin Thembisile Hani hamba kahle mkhonto!

Every time I think about that day I remembers the song by UWC Creative Arts Choir which went like: 

UMkhonto libutho lam endilithandayo x3

Ukhweza loomathafa

Ucanda loo mimango

Ushay'ezintabeni 

Ndiyaw'uthanda

Libutho lam'endilithandayo

Bathi bakuwubon'usondela

Baphume bonkabantwana bevuya

Baphume bonk'abasebenzi

Bayilwel'inkululeko yethu 

Unganani mlisela nomthinjana

Hamba Mkhonto mkhonto wemikhonto

Ushayezintabeni

Ushayizitha zethu 

Ushay'uvuthulule

May'buyi Africa

...

Bathi alikho ibutho elifana nomkhonto

World Press Freedom Day

On Saturday 3 May celebrates the World Press Freedom Day, well this has been the norm for years. This occasion acknowledges the gains made over time in ensuring a safe environment for journalists to work in. It also acknowledges the challenges that still exist.

Journalists continue to be arrested, jailed and killed. Censorship is alive in many countries. Journalists are forced to give up their sources or face being jailed. Some are accused of spying on the state, stealing and selling state secrets, conspiring against their governments and many others. China for an example has been in the spotlight for its inhumane laws and disregard for human rights.

There have been however legislative changes favourable to the media in various countries in the last decade. There are also concerns that these changes are only for window dressing as they are not applied. It is true that in many instances the legislative environment makes it hard for the ‘free media’ to operate. But, we also need to look at the limitations affecting journalists e.g. lack of resources, editorial policies, knowledge base and ethics.

Very few countries in Africa have progressive laws regarding the media. Journalists are jailed for ‘telling like it is’. Recently in Zimbabwe there was a crackdown on journalists. Some are still in jail while others have been released and or fined. This problem is not unique to Zimbabwe but is widespread. The threats are there even in countries with progressive policies like South Africa. As much as there is freedom of expression on paper, there are various pieces of legislation that make it hard to collect and disseminate information.

There is evidence of changes in South Africa compared to the period before the 90s. There is an Independent Communications Authority which is independent of the state various other structures that have made life easier for the media and for the public. The introduction of the three tier system of broadcasting has ensured that the growth of community radio. More and more communities have access to information through radio. This has had an added benefit as people in the countryside are largely illiterate or semi literate and too poor to afford a newspaper on a regular basis.

As we celebrate this day, we also have to answer a number of questions to understand where we are. The role of the media in society has to be clarified. Who owns the media and what their intentions are is another issue that needs attention? What are the threats to media? What are the challenges facing journalists on the field and in the newsroom? What is alternative media? Is new media killing traditional media? Why are senior journalists leaving the media environment?

Media today is very diverse in character. The problem is that ownership is a major challenge as there is no diversity. Content has also not necessarily been diversified. We also have to ask ourselves whether this diversity has improved access to information by the average person.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads: ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.’ In an ideal environment, this article should be respected and adhered to.