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REGINA MUNDI, SHRINE OF PILGRIMAGE

Regina Mundi increasingly became a citadel, a spiritual stronghold of the people of Soweto at a time when resistance to apartheid regime was at its height. In 1976, the youth of Soweto burst onto the political scene without any warning. The imposition of the Afrikaans language as a means of learning at schools was ostensibly the reason for bringing learning to an abrupt halt. Youthful Hector Petersen was shot dead by the police in the mayhem of defiance. This only served to fan the flames of resistance. There was now no turning back. The demand was for freedom now. The twin principles of participation and equality became the battle cry. The youth became uncontrollable. Student organizations were banned, one after another. Many fled into exile. The townships became ungovernable. Communities joined the resistance by refusing to pay for electricity and rent. Suspected informers were harassed or “necklaced”. Houses of police and local council members were set alight. Delivery vans, buses and trains were torched.

It was against this background that Regina Mundi became the site of pilgrimage. Every year after 1996, thousands gathered at Regina Mundi. Regina Mundi became a shrine of residence by default. It was the only building in Soweto that could hold more than 7000 people standing. The magistrate of the area ordered that gatherings of a political nature could only take place within a building and not in the open. Every June 16th people gathered in their thousands to pour out their feelings of anger and frustration, to express their aspirations and hope for the future, to work out their own agenda for freedom. Each gathering was intense. Freedom songs were sung and political poetry read. Bishop Tutu, Dr. Nthato Motlana, leaders of students organizations, the committee of ten, black priests’ sodality group, Azapo and later on the UDF – all drove people into a state of frenzy. We know now what we did not know then. This country had reached a state of no return. Regina Mundi offered the people a sanctuary and a political platform. These gatherings, like other gatherings throughout the country, kept the struggle alive. “Political funerals” were also held at Regina Mundi.

These funerals, like night vigils, were radically transformed from pious, religious gatherings into intense, political platforms of resistance. Undoubtedly it was a great strain on the parish community. Pews were broken, door battered, the fence broken, canisters thrown into the church by the police and the resident clergy harassed. Virtually at the end of each commemorative service, the police broke up the gatherings and chased people with sjamboks. Every June 16 never ceased to be a dramatic occasion. The history of what happened is captured in the stained windows of the church building.

The 2010 Fifa World Cup experience depicts a totally different South Africa. A South Africa that is warmly embraced by all its citizens. A South Africa that inspires pride and joy in all its citizens.