Exactly 189 years after the proclamation of the Freedom of Slavery in the Cape Colony, guests of the Pniël Museum and Pniël Erfenis- en Kultuurtrust (PEKT) gathered at Die Werf in the quaint town to commemorate this historic occurrence.
The annual event, hosted in partnership with the Stellenbosch Museum, was held on Friday 1 December, with Professor Tyrone Pretorius, rector and vice-chancellor of the University of the Western Cape, delivering the keynote address.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Stellenbosch mayor Gesie van Deventer, deputy mayor Jeremy Fasser and Clara Meyer, Mayoral Committee member of the Cape Winelands District Municipality.
PEKT chairperson Janine Myburgh welcomed guests to the event, before Rev Leon Klate of the Pniël Congregational church opened the proceedings.
“Today we commemorate this historic event as part of a group of people who were enslaved against their will.
“It is a day of observance of the freedom of slavery in the Cape Colony, from around the world and the people of God,” Klate said.
“Through this day, we continue to share hope for the future as a human race, that we are all equal to one another, and we make a commitment to never do anything to farm our fellow man, who are not our slaves but our brothers and sisters.”
The official opening address was followed by a poem, Pniël, hier wil ek bly, written and delivered by local resident Wilma van Baalen of the PEKT Writing School.
Throughout the gathering, musical items were delivered by Conquering Spirits 2.0, Petite Pre-Primary and Pniël Primary School, while Anne-Marie Lackay of the PEKT Writing School also delivered her poem, My erfenis is vir my mooi.
In his address, Pretorius reiterated the importance of commemorating the abolishment of slavery, which he labelled as “a harrowing aspect of our history”, stating that “slavery forms part of the forces that forged us as a nation”. “It is pivotal to look back, because the past laid a path for the people we are today. We have to unmask the legacies of slavery and consider hosting national celebrations that mark an end to slavery,” Pretorius said. “Endeavours to mark the end of slavery is growing nationally, and academics continue to scrutinise slavery and its role in our country.”
He further pointed out the resistance shown by slaves, who came from all walks of life and countries around the world.
“Thank you to PEKT and the residents of Pniël for paying tribute to our forefathers through this commemorative event – one which supports the UWC motto which says you need to look to the past to look to the future.”
Thembelani Masu, a representative of the National Heritage Council, commended PEKT and the Pniël Museum for preservation and protection of the town’s heritage.
Eight Pniël locals laid wreaths at the foot of the slave bell, before it was rung by Frans Boonzaaier for a minute at exactly 12:00, an ode to the slaves freed in SA, particularly those who played a vital role in forming this town.
