Hector Peterson memorial ruined

2006-03-21 12:28

Johannesburg - The memorial plaque for Hector Peterson in Soweto has been vandalised for the third time since being erected in 2002, The Star newspaper reported on Tuesday.

"It is terrible" Antoinette Sithole, Hector's sister, said.

She works at the Hector Peterson Museum, close to the corner where the plaque is situated, and where her brother was gunned down by police on June 16 1976.

"I don't understand why people want to damage the memorial. We only try to preserve our history as a heritage for future generations."

Eric Monalo, who sells sweets from a table across the street from the memorial, said the plaque was previously damaged six months ago.

"Probably kids did it, because they don't understand its importance or history."

Sithole shares this view: "Maybe it was kids, or maybe someone who was drunk. It was probably done during the night. I think its is important to teach our children more about our history."

A request for money to repair the plaque has been made to the city council. The repair work will cost around R10 000.

However, because of all the paperwork involved, there had been no response so far, another staff member of the museum said.

"We need to protect the memorial," Sithole said.

"We are thinking about how to do that now. Maybe there should be fencing, or maybe we should change the whole site and integrate the plaque in the pavement."

A staff member suggested: "We might as well change the material to something that is less vulnerable than marble, such as iron.

"And it has to be restored, before June 16 this year."

- SAPA