In my line of work I have come across with all sorts of people, stereotypes, cruel people, Good Samaritans, great people with sense of humour and those with bad values that makes want to puke at times. But the most beautiful and energetic people are from Gugulethu.
Take it from me, I have worked in all the black townships but there is no place like Gugulethu. I am shocked that the media is not making a big noise about Gugulethu 60 Anniversary. Established in 1959 by the National Party government, Gugs has been described by some as a rough area, crime-riddled area.
But to me all townships are same when it comes to crimes. Talking about Gugs and crime, I still hold on the memory of a boxing match held at Sports Complex where criminals with guns came to mug people, years ago (in 1996 if my memory serves me well). Mindo the match was live on television.
At that time I was still a junkie from the rural areas of Ciskei. The same year of the incident I came to study in Cape Town. Hell know, I wanted nothing to do with that “den of criminals”. Little did I know that it has produced intellectual, politicians of note, musicians and thespians and all the goods you can think of.
While at Peninsula Technikon, now Cape Peninsula University of Technology, I had friend who I never visited for fear of the area and its stories. I was really scared of the area. But all I wanted to see was the notorious NY1. Like Small Street in Johannesburg CBD, I heard bad stories that you are mugged as you step in it. I thought to myself, how the hell how they know one is not from there. But as years go I read about Mzolis, but negative stuff. Gugs people hated the man. They wanted his business out of their area because drunkards were urinating in their yards, blocked the roads with their cars, scattered used condoms all over the area and other unpalatable things. I must admit that made me interested about Gugs.
Hear non-Gugs people talking about this one oldest township, all you hear is loafers, hijackers, pompous people, arrogant people, untouchables but their houses are dirty etc. I write to dispute that. Like all the townships there are few individuals like that.
But again there was a time when a certain social movement wrote letters to professionals that were working in Gugs to vacate the place for good because they were taking their jobs. How stupid. As if Gugs had all the professions in the world. Let me admit the leader of the group probably had bipolar or a condition that needed urgent attention. When I had an opportunity to interview him, the guy seemed empty upstairs. He is my friend today. He is a community activist with little vision. Wayephazamisekile nje ngokuya. But this is the attitude that I personally have picked up in some Gugs people. Yet again there are great individuals who are always welcoming.
All I know is that Gugs people are not cheap. They like fancy cars. They do not drink cheap stuff, wear cheap clothes, they are very colourful and yes they can be pompous. But I have learnt to love and embrace them because they are not harmful.
Going back to the media not giving much publicity on the area’s 60 birthday. I feel I must ask critics to at least give credit for the work and achievements the place has had. We need to give credit to the product of this area who skipped dead bodies going to school, work for a search of a better future. Those who bite bullets and succeeded unders such appalling conditions.
In the same breath, the behaviour and attitude of many residents plays a big part in some media not to run positive stories on Gugs. However, credit should also go to young people that have worked so diligently to lift Gugulethu up. The likes of Zozo Dalo, Phumzile “Phura” Nteyi, Ralph Stuurman comes to mind. Thank you to Mzoli Ngcawuzela, General Kimi Makwetu, Ringo Madlingozi, the late Mankunku Ngozi, the late Ezra Ngcukana, Vincent Ntunja, Siv Ngesi, Loyiso Gola and many others for lifting up Gugs flag. If you survive Gugs, you can survive any no go area.
On this year’s 60th birthday, I say Phakama Gugs, reclaim your pride.