TUT Honors Late Student Activist Matikweni For Fight Academic Exclusion. The late student activist, Matikweni Nkuna, who tragically lost his life in 1984 during a student protest, was commemorated on Thursday night for his relentless fight against an untransformed education system.
Matikweni Nkuna was fatally shot in the head during a protest at Mabopane East Technikon. The students were demanding the recognition of a democratically elected student representative council. Nkuna’s death marked a significant moment in the struggle for educational reform in South Africa.
TUT Honors Late Student Activist Matikweni For Fight Academic Exclusion
In honor of Nkuna’s sacrifice, a statue has been erected at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Soshanguve South campus. This campus is part of the legacy of Mabopane East Technikon, Technikon Northern Transvaal, and Technikon Northern Gauteng.
On Thursday night, TUT hosted a gala dinner at Protea Fire & Ice in Menlyn. The event was organized by the university’s faculty of humanities alumni chapter to raise funds in Nkuna’s honor. Nkuna hailed from Tembisa, and his legacy continues to inspire many.
Keynote Address by Professor Mashupye Maserumule
Professor Mashupye Maserumule, the executive dean of the department of humanities, delivered a powerful keynote address. He highlighted Nkuna’s fight against academic and financial exclusions and lamented the lack of recognition for activists like Nkuna in historical accounts.
Professor Maserumule compared the struggles of Nkuna’s generation in the 1980s at Technikon Mabopane East to those of the 1976 Soweto uprising led by Tsietsi Mashinini. He emphasized the continuous fight for socio-economic justice by students.
Revival of Nkuna Memorial Lecture
The university announced the revival of the Nkuna memorial lecture as an annual event to honor his contributions. Additionally, TUT plans to document Nkuna’s legacy in a book, ensuring his efforts are remembered and celebrated.
Honoring Other Student Activists
The memorial lecture will also honor other student activists, such as Benjamin Phetla and Katlego Monareng, who lost their lives during the #FeesMustFall protests in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Reflections from Former Students and Family
Former student Khanyiso Sonti expressed gratitude for Nkuna’s dedication, stating, “What we now enjoy today is because of the life that Nkuna dedicated to the university.” Nkuna’s sister, Elsie Simbine, emotionally recounted the day her brother was killed by police during the protest.
Conclusion
Matikweni Nkuna’s legacy as a student activist continues to inspire the fight for justice and educational transformation. The annual memorial lecture and the statue at TUT serve as enduring tributes to his sacrifice and commitment to socio-economic justice.
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