AN AMATHOLE Museum curator has been chosen to present a paper on the Bhisho Massacre at an American conference focusing on southern African history in April.
History curator Stephanie Victor is presenting a paper on the atrocity at the 11th North Eastern Workshop on Southern Africa (Newsa) taking place from April 19 to 21.
Newsa is hosted by the California State University in San Bernardino, and is an exclusive workshop taking place in Burlington, Vermont.
Victor said she was researching the Bhisho massacre for an exhibit at the Amathole Museum when a friend suggested she submit a paper for Newsa.
“You don’t think they’ll accept your paper, but then they did!” Victor said yesterday. “It’s a fantastic opportunity.”
The Bhisho massacre took place on September 7 1992 when protestors demanded the re-incorporation of the Ciskei homeland into South Africa. The protestors included ANC, SACP, Cosatu and SA National Civic Organisation supporters.
Twenty-nine people were shot dead by the Ciskei Defence Force as they attempted to enter Bhisho, then capital of the Ciskei. The massacre’s 20th anniversary took place last year.
Victor’s paper focuses on the politics of remembering and commemorating atrocity in a pre- and post-apartheid South Africa .
Victor said she focused on the 20th anniversary memorial last year and the complexities involved in the process.
“People always start with these simple, honest memorials, but then they upscale it. So why is that so? It’s politics, all history is politics,” Victor said.
Director of the Amathole Museum Fred Kigozi said the American-based workshop was a “wonderful opportunity” for both Victor and the museum. —
Amathole curator off to US
History curator Stephanie Victor is presenting a paper on the atrocity at the 11th North Eastern Workshop on Southern Africa (Newsa) taking place from April 19 to 21.
Newsa is hosted by the California State University in San Bernardino, and is an exclusive workshop taking place in Burlington, Vermont.
Victor said she was researching the Bhisho massacre for an exhibit at the Amathole Museum when a friend suggested she submit a paper for Newsa.
“You don’t think they’ll accept your paper, but then they did!” Victor said yesterday. “It’s a fantastic opportunity.”
The Bhisho massacre took place on September 7 1992 when protestors demanded the re-incorporation of the Ciskei homeland into South Africa. The protestors included ANC, SACP, Cosatu and SA National Civic Organisation supporters.
Twenty-nine people were shot dead by the Ciskei Defence Force as they attempted to enter Bhisho, then capital of the Ciskei. The massacre’s 20th anniversary took place last year.
Victor’s paper focuses on the politics of remembering and commemorating atrocity in a pre- and post-apartheid South Africa .
Victor said she focused on the 20th anniversary memorial last year and the complexities involved in the process.
“People always start with these simple, honest memorials, but then they upscale it. So why is that so? It’s politics, all history is politics,” Victor said.
Director of the Amathole Museum Fred Kigozi said the American-based workshop was a “wonderful opportunity” for both Victor and the museum. —
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