Families of the 28 who were shot dead by police of the Oupa Gqozo-led government, gathered at the Ginsberg Cemetery on Friday in remembrance of their loved ones.
Premier Phumulo Masualle, rural development and agrarian reform MEC Xolile Nqatha and sport, recreation arts and culture MEC Bulelwa Tunyiswa were also in attendance to commemorate the 1992 Bisho Massacre.
Nosiseko Mangona, who lost her 22-year-old son, Mbulelo Mangona, said September 7 each year is difficult for her and her family.
Mbulelo, who was a Mxenge Teaching College student and also worked for the health department, was one of 80,000 marching against the Gqozo government they described as being an extension of the apartheid government.
“Every year around this time we grieve as if it happened yesterday. We also have a sense of pride knowing our people died fighting for the freedom of the country,” said Mangona.
The protest was led by several senior ANC leaders, including SACP secretary-general Chris Hani, Steve Tshwete and Ronnie Kasrils.
The demonstrators met their death when they tried to cross the Ciskei Defence Force’s lines and enter into Bhisho. Soldiers opened fire and continued firing indiscriminately into the crowd for about five minutes using machine guns and rifle grenades. Several young men were reportedly shot in the back as they fled.
Masualle said the Bisho Massacre, which claimed 28 lives, was a turning point in the province and the country. Masualle on Friday spoke at the cemetery where 13 of the victims are buried.
“This day in 1992 ushered in the freedom we enjoy today and this cannot just be looked as a provincial incident, but should be seen as part of the broader national pressure against the apartheid government,” said Masualle.
Tunyiswa said her department would ensure that the legacy of the massacre lives on. She said it was not only an Eastern Cape tragedy, but a tragedy of the entire country.
“These young women and men who now lay here quietly demanded an end to the military government of Brigadier Joshua Gqozo and the re-absorption of the so-called black homeland into SA. They are without a doubt heroes of this province and country.”..