Respected legal mind, political activist, author and public speaker, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi will lead this year’s celebrations of the life and times of the late educator, intellectual and anti-apartheid activist, Matthew Goniwe.
Adv Ngcukaitobi will deliver the keynote address at this year’s annual Matthew Goniwe Memorial Lecture, which is expected to be attended by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, and the new MEC for Education in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane, among others. The event will take place on Wednesday 23 November 2022 at the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg. This year’s address will focus on the theme “What would Matthew Goniwe do in bridging past socio-economic inequalities through effective school leadership and governance and improving efficiency and efficacy of our ICT enhanced education system?”
The 2022 Matthew Goniwe Memorial Lecture will also be celebrating two decades of excellence in education since the Matthew Goniwe Schools of Governance and Leadership (MGSGL) was launched, and the successes achieved in the 20 years of existence of the institution.
Matthew Goniwe was born on 27 December 1947 in Lingelihle near Cradock in the Eastern Cape. Son to farm labourers, young Goniwe attended St James’ Primary school and thereafter Sam Xhallie Secondary School, where he obtained his Junior Certificate. Goniwe’s involvement in politics was cemented at Fort Hare University where he was a student. A passionate teacher who became popular among his learners, Goniwe returned to Sam Xhallie Secondary following his time at Fort Hare to teach mathematics and science. His love for education saw him and another school teacher in Cradock, John Hlekani, found a school at Mqanduli in 1972, in the then Transkei. The school was later named Holomisa High School.
On 27 June 1985, Goniwe and his three comrades, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli were ruthlessly murdered by the apartheid security due to their immense influence in their community. They were later known as the Cradock Four. Goniwe is survived by his wife Nyameka, children Nobuzwe and Nyaniso.
Image: Briefly.co.za
