On Saturday 19 October 2024, Restore took its reintegration class of formerly incarcerated clients to attend the screening of the three films on Dimitri Tsafendas at Bertha House Activism café movie theatre (Bertha Spaces). One of the screenings was Flower of the Partisan which won several awards. Flower of the Partisan – FilmFreeway
My entire life I had never heard of Dimitri Tsafendas. The man who assassinated Dr Hendrick Verwoerd. The man who put an end to the apartheid era. In history, in school, in prison this man was never mentioned.
Who was Dimitri Tsafendas?
He was a Mozambican born man of many exile countries. He was a normal person trying to find his place in the world. He suffered a lot as he was accused of being a spy and held captive in Portugal. he fought in the war for foreign countries. He grew up in between Egypt and South Africa. He was also a person of coloured desent that was a messenger in Parliament that took the life of Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd.
The privilege of watching a film about Dimitri Tsafendas.
I had the great honour to attend the short film about Dimitri Tsafendas. In that hour I was made aware of this hero that put an end to the Apartheid regime. I learned why he assassinated Verwoerd and the belief that he stood for humanity, also the courage it took. Sadly not only was he incarcerated for 23 years in solitary confinement and brutally abused, but he was silenced for his doing.
Hero, unrecognized today
None of us were ever taught about this hero. Never were we taught of the suffering he went through all for the sake of free democracy as we know it today. I believe that what he did by taking someone’s life is wrong and a sin. However, this hero saw what was happening and took the responsibility of putting his life at risk for the sake of the future of our beloved Republic of South Africa. Ask yourself who do you know that will be willing to do such an act of bravery.
Apartheid compared to todays democracy
Many of the youth today won’t understand about the terrible times of the old days of apartheid. I lived in the end of apartheid, and believe me, it was very hard and inhumane. Some may agree when I say the state of the country was better and our country was rich and strong. Truth be told, yes it was – no corruption, no crime and life was cheap and affordable, but to what cost? Democracy today is a free and fair life for people of all race and colours. However, we are considered a junk status and our land is in a turmoil.
As an ex-offender I can only begin to imagine the pain and suffering Dimitri Tsafendas endured for over 20 years. It makes my prison time spent as a holiday in comparison.
I am proud to say that I thank him for what he did not only for me but for many in the Republic of South Africa.
Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE
This project in collaboration with RESTORE currently works with formerly incarcerated young men in the communities.
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