It was some time during the World War II (1939 – 1945), somewhere during the early 1940s that everything started. The Kekana Tribal land was situated about 50km’s north of Pretoria.
Adjacent to the Kekana’s land, the farm Bezuidenhoutsfarm was located guarded by rangers and off limits to all members of the Kekana Tribe.
On a day in 1942, something strange happened on Bezuidenhoutsfarm. People were trucked in and dumped on the farm (which was till then ‘off-limits’ to Natives).
Before long, a tent-town emerged. The farm was bought by the South African Native Trust to resettle people that were not allowed in the white South Africa and were forcefully removed from places such as Lady Selbourne, Orlando and Klipspruit in the Pretoria and Sophiatown in Johannesburg and other areas.
The inhabitants of the tent-town were in despair and named the tent-town, which was without basic services such as water and ablution facilities, “Sofasonke”, meaning, “we are all going to die here,” we will not be moved again.
The Bantu Commissioners of the day asked the Kekana Chief, to allow the people of “Sofasonke” to make use of the Tribal Authority’s schools, churches and other facilities, in return for payment.
Not long afterwards the building of permanent housing structures for the inhabitants of Sofasonke commenced in what is now known as “Oudstad”. This was welcomed because some people were able to stay in houses rather than in the tents.
People started making their homes in the area and “Sofasonke” was renamed “Temba”, meaning “a place of hope,” in the hope that they will not be forcefully removed again.
So was Temba established into a growing and thriving community over the next 77 years since its humble beginnings in 1942.
The Life and Times of Temba
During its 77 years of existence (1942 to 2019), like an old septuagenarian (a person whose age is between 70 and 79 years old), Temba has gone through the various and turbulent experiences of life.
In its first ten years (1942 to 1952), Temba was born into a world of hopelessness and misery with a confused sensed of identity, in its teen years (1952 to 1962) it found its sense of community as South Africa experienced the early years on institutionalized Apartheid.
In its twenties (1962-1972) it saw the rise of black consciousness and an age of industrialization over the banks of the nearby Apies River. In its 40`s (1972 to 1982), the area experienced the economic boom and the rise of a repressive Bantustan political landscape which persisted into its 50th birthday from 1982 to 1992.
In the last 25 years of democracy (1994 to 2019), Temba has been tossed from one political administration to the other, first from Bophuthatswana to the new North West administration and then later to become part of the Gauteng province under Tshwane Region 2.
It is this schizophrenic socio-political identity that has moved Temba from its troubled beginnings in the 1940`s, to the pinnacle of hope brought about by the rapid industrialization during its golden years from 1972 to 1992, to a recline and decline to the current sense of hopelessness at the dawn of democracy that coincided with the rapture of its solid common community identity.
Coupled by the population explosion during the nineties to the present, that resulted in the extension of new settlements and the invasion of new dominant cultures and lifestyles.
“My Temba, My Heritage”
Despite its often-turbulent and painful history, Temba is home to many who were born and bred in this place of hope.
To those who have migrated to establish their new homes and lived in its streets and avenues over the years.
To those who have created its culture, heritage and identity.
To those who have learned and worshiped in its schools and churches.
To those who have pursued their careers and occupations to earn a living.
To those who have died and buried with their memories at its old and new cemeteries.
So, what does “My Temba, My Heritage” mean to you during this Black History Month? What are your earliest memories and your life journey in these hallowed grounds of this place that you call home? What is the history of your family and neighbourhood? What is the origins history of your school and place of worship? What old photos do you have of the old Temba? What is the heartbeat of its songs and dance? What are the historical landmarks and heritage sites and buildings you cherish from Temba? Who are the luminaries or famous people that have come out of Temba? What is it that the world should celebrate about “My Temba, My Heritage”?
Moretele Times throws the challenge wide open for our readers to share their collective, historical and living memory in celebration of “My Temba, My Heritage”.
Selected guest writers have also been invited to pen featured articles in celebration of the Temba Black History Month.
Hopefully, the next few weeks will unearth the hidden gems of history, heritage and identity that will reclaim the pride history of Temba as a place of hope and prosperity.
The Temba “Black History Month” Series
Historically, the Black History Month was initiated in 1926 in the United States of America by the slave descendants to celebrate the history of black communities and their achievements.
Moretele Times and the Temba Heritage Project will mark the 2019 Black History Month (1-28 February) through the publication of a series of articles in celebration of the history of Temba and its illustrious heritage under the theme “My Temba, My Heritage”.
To sustain the Temba Heritage narrative throughout February, we extend an open invitation to our readers and selected writers to contribute articles to be published under various sub themes in celebration of the rich history of Temba Township as we know it.
The thematic thread of the contributed articles should focus on the historical milestones of Temba since it was founded and bring to the fore, the achievements and accomplishments of Temba as an urban settlement.
Editorial Article Contributed by Segomotso Sebokedi, Founder Member of the Temba Heritage Project.
