“The graves of the iconic leaders of the liberation struggle movements are a tangiblerepresentation of the intangible heritage aspects of organized resistance and defiancecampaigns, against successive racially repressive regimes. They transcend differentresponses to eighty (80) years of intensification of repressive laws from deputations, passiveresistance, defiance campaigns to armed struggle and mass struggles. They represent aconviction to a just political cause and attainment of political freedom leading to denial ofpersonal liberties and an ultimate price of banning orders, house arrest, politicalassassinations, banishment, exile, political imprisonment and in-detention death.Reverend Zaccheus Richard “ZR” Mahabane was born in Thaba Nchu, Free State on 15August 1881. He qualified as a teacher in 1901 but soon took a position as a court interpreter.In 1908 he began theological training and was ordained a Methodist minister in 1914.As one of the Founding Fathers of the ANC, Rev. ZR Mahabane was described as adiplomatic, careful, articulate speaker and a resolute man of the cloth, who combined politicsand Christian ethics to fight racism. Throughout his life he strived to educate Africans abouttheir rights. He was fierce critic and vehemently opposed to the “colour bar” policy of thenwhite-only South African government, frequently making representations to them. He said thisabout the policy: “Away with this accursed thing! Agitate until this stigma has been entirelyeliminated from the national life of our land”He was elected as president of the Cape Provisional branch of the South African NativeNational Congress in 1919 as well as the Vice-President of the Cape Native Voter’sConvention. Being a prominent voice for the oppressed, Rev Mahabane rapidly gained supportand recognition throughout Southern Africa, and in 1924 was elected ANC President.He constantly was the unifying force for black unity and together with Mr A Abdurahmanestablished the non-European Unity Movement (NEUM) between 1927 and 1934.In 1935 he served as an executive committee member of the All Africa Convention (AAC), afederal body that gave expression to the aspirations of black people and fought against theNative trust and Land Act promulgated in 1936.During the tumultuous period in the ANC characterized by deep division, as a unifier of note,Rev Mahabane was gain called upon to unify and revive the fortunes of the movement andwas elected as ANC President for the second time from 1936 – 1940. He played a prominentrole in the development of the Methodist Church in South Africa and helped draft the church’sconstitution and define the equal status of all in the church. In 1943 he was inducted as a life long Honorary ANC President. In 1945 he founded and became President of the Inter-Denominational Association of Ministers Federation of South Africa (IDAMASA), until 1956.
Rev ZR Mahabane had a strong critical voice against injustice. He abhorred racism anddisunity with a passion. Throughout his life he stood stubbornly firm in favour of African unity,the truth, fairness, freedom and equal standing for all South Africans irrespective of race. Hecame up with the concept of “Unity in Diversity”. Due to outspoken rapport, his personal lifewas often unsettled as he was repeatedly harassed and detained. Most of his crucial archives,journals, diaries and his political interactions were confiscated and burnt. However, the thenwhite regime could not silence him nor deter his profound contribution in changing thetrajectory of South African history.As a religious priest, Rev ZR Mahabane served with commitment and distinction, equallyactive as he was in politics. Throughout his life and work, he was particularly diligent inupholding high principles and God-inspired moral values. He used Christian principles andethics to put a sustained methodical resistance and attack to white supremacy and policies atthe time”
