South Africa's apartheid-era prisoners call for release

Summary

After 27 years in prison for the politically charged murder of a white police officer, Kenny Matzo May reflects on his past actions, asserting they were part of a struggle against oppression. He advocates for the release of his comrades still imprisoned for political crimes, criticizing the legal system for not revisiting these cases. Taro, whose father fought against apartheid, expresses disillusionment with the perceived lack of recognition for their sacrifices, particularly in light of the pardoning of apartheid-era perpetrators. The government's efforts to pardon political offenders have resulted in only a handful of releases, highlighting ongoing injustices.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ After 27 years in prison, Kenny Matzo May is now free but remains under monitoring.
• ⚖️ Kenny was sentenced to life imprisonment for the 1989 killing of a police officer, which he claims was politically motivated.
• 🔍 He expresses no remorse for the act, highlighting a perceived lack of accountability among white leaders regarding the oppression of black South Africans.
• ✊ Kenny is actively advocating for the release of his fellow comrades from the apartheid era who are still imprisoned.
• 📜 The Pan-African Congress, of which Kenny was a part, opposed Nelson Mandela's non-violent approach during apartheid.
• 🔒 Despite government efforts to pardon political offenders, only 13 out of over 2,000 applicants have been released.
• 🤔 Tarro, the daughter of an apartheid fighter, questions the sacrifices made by her father and others, feeling they were in vain.
• ⚖️ The justice system is called upon to reevaluate the cases of political prisoners from the apartheid era.
• 😟 Tarro feels the current situation for former political prisoners is unjust and not reflective of their sacrifices.
• 🕰️ There remains a sense of uncertainty about whether the sacrifices of those who fought against apartheid will ultimately be recognized.

Q & A

Who is Kenny Matzo May and why was he imprisoned?

Kenny Matzo May is a former prisoner who was jailed for life for the murder of a white police officer in 1989, a crime he describes as politically motivated.

What does Kenny Matzo May express about his feelings toward the murder?

Kenny states that he does not feel remorse for killing the officer, emphasizing that there was no acknowledgment from white individuals regarding the oppression faced by marginalized communities.

What political party did Kenny Matzo May belong to and what was its stance during apartheid?

Kenny was associated with the Pan-African Congress, which opposed Nelson Mandela's pacifist policies through armed struggle.

What is the current status of other political prisoners from the apartheid era?

Many political prisoners, including members of the Pan-African Congress, remain incarcerated, with calls for the legal system to reassess their cases as politically motivated acts of resistance.

How does Taro, the daughter of Percy to Poppy, feel about her father's imprisonment?

Taro feels confused and saddened that her father, who fought against apartheid, is still in prison, especially when other individuals, like Eugene de Kock, who was involved in a death squad, received pardons.

What does Taro express about the sacrifices made by her father and others?

Taro expresses a sense of disillusionment, questioning whether her father's sacrifices were in vain given the current circumstances.

What is the government's stance on pardoning offenders of political crimes?

The government has a program to pardon offenders convicted of political crimes, but out of over 2,000 applications, only 13 individuals have been released.

What is Taro's perception of the justice system's treatment of political prisoners?

Taro believes it is unjust for the legal system not to reevaluate the cases of political prisoners, as their actions were based on the struggle to change society.

What does the discussion imply about the legacy of the apartheid struggle?

The discussion highlights a complex legacy where some feel that the sacrifices made during the struggle against apartheid have not been adequately recognized or rewarded.

How does the narrative address the issue of reconciliation in South Africa?

The narrative suggests that reconciliation remains incomplete, as many who fought against apartheid are still incarcerated while others have received pardons, indicating ongoing disparities in the justice system.