FREEDOM CELEBRATION MEANS YOU WERE, AT SOME POINT, NOT FREE

Freedom is much more than just the right to act however one chooses—it also stands for securing to everyone an equal opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. More so it’s incomplete without Heritage as a major component to it.

Freedom is naked without Heritage, it’s got no basis, Freedom is built around Heritage.  How often and how far back has society thought and regarded those that sacrificed to uphold our Heritage by fighting for today’s freedom?

Among the many names from two centuries and more ago was Maqoma, born in 1798 to Ngqika, King of the Rharhabe division of the Xhosa nation. A man who had considerable intellect and eloquence; a man who knew Freedom is not complete without one’s Heritage – striving to maintain traditional social structures and the power of the Xhosa royalty in the face of colonial depredations and dispossession.

In pursuit of undiluted Freedom and good moral standing derived from a strong Heritage belief, Maqoma, led three wars against colonialism and desecration of indigenous people’s Heritage. At Robben Island, in custody on 9^th September, 1873 death, as usual, robbed us a hero, a fighter and a custodian of our Heritage, a naturally God given right to all humanity.

Amava Heritage Publishing Pty Ltd, the publishers of Maqoma: The Legend of Great Xhosa Warrior, by Timothy Stapleton, Maqoma’s Last War by Nicholas Dekker and UbuNgqina bobuKrestu bama-Afrika (Xhosa – Religious Heritage), by late Archbishop N.H. Ngada, recognises these sacrifices and acknowledges the intended meaning to South Africa’s Freedom and Heritage should not fizzle out and be forgotten; it should be about reclaiming it by researching it, (re)packaging it, debating and publishing our stories. Amava Heritage Publishing Pty Ltd publications strive to avail knowledge from yesterday to influence and build a better tomorrow.