Zephania Mothopeng

**Zephania Lekoame Mothopeng** (10 September 1913 – 23 October 1990) be a South African political activist den member of de Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC).

## Early life
Na dem born Mothopeng near Vrede insyd Free State, den he get five siblings. He go school for St. Mary's Anglican School insyd Daggakraal, den he finish ein education insyd St. Peters Secondary School for Rosettenville insyd Johannesburg insyd 1937, wey be where he write ein matric. After he finish ein matric, he go train as teacher for Adams College insyd Kwa-Zulu Natal, where he plus three anoda colleagues sit by force for de chairs wey dem reserve give European staff. Because of dat, dem sack dem but later dem call dem back. He finish ein postgraduate teachers diploma for de college insyd 1940.

Insyd 1941, Mothopeng start to teach for Orlando Secondary School insyd Soweto den he come stay for Johannesburg. Insyd 1950, he be de president of de Transvaal Teachers Association. Na for dis position he take turn one of de strongest people wey dey talk against de introduction of Bantu education.

## Political history
Mothopeng start ein fight against apartheid insyd 1943 as one of de people wey start de African National Congress Youth League. He comot from de African National Congress (ANC) because of de rise of de Freedom Charter, wey be philosophy wey involve different races. He comot from de ANC plus Robert Sobukwe for 1959 den dem two become founding members of de Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC). After dem form de PAC, he lead demma Positive Action campaign against pass laws. Pan Africanists describe de campaign as non-violent mass action like strike, boycott den no cooperation plus de oppressive authorities.

As member of de PAC, Mothopeng get arrest plenti times. De first one be for 1960 wey dem jail am for two years because he take part for de Defiance Campaign. Dem release am insyd 1962 after he finish ein jail sentence. Dem catch am again insyd 1964 for pushing de work of PAC wey dem don ban. Dis arrest come after police do heavy operation against de PAC underground movement wey dem dey call Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), wey dem dey call Poqo before. APLA be de military wing of de Pan Africanist Congress. Mothopeng, John Ganya, Mark Shinners plus others take front role for building contact plus de PAC external mission insyd Tanzania, recruiting new people enter PAC, setting up underground cells, den sending new recruits go outside de country make dem join APLA for exile.

Mothopeng serve three-year sentence for Robben Island because he dey push de work of de PAC. He dey prison together plus Nelson Mandela for Robben Island before dem release am for 1967. After dem release am, dem send am go stay for QwaQwa insyd Free State, but he stay there only six months before he come back ein house for Johannesburg.

Dem arrest am again for August 1976 because of de Soweto uprisings after he mobilise den organise students for Soweto. Because of dis, he be accused number one for de Bethal Trial, wey dem charge am say he do conspiracy den treason. Dem arrest am under de terrorism act, den ein charges include say he cause de 16 June Soweto Uprisings. De Bethal Trial be de only secret political trial wey ever happen insyd apartheid South Africa. While he dey prison, he get elect as de president of de PAC for 1986.

Dem send Mothopeng go Robben Island again wey he for serve two separate 15-year prison terms. Dem torture am badly for jail. Mothopeng be one of de people wey report police torture, because four other people wey dem detain die for detention.

Mothopeng come get throat cancer while he still dey prison. President F. W. de Klerk release am completely for 1988. He no agree to join political talks wey dey talk say Black people for get all de power. Under ein leadership, de PAC no gree join de democracy negotiations plus de African National Congress under President F. W. de Klerk, because de Pan-Africanist Congress believe say na only guerrilla warfare fit end white minority rule. After dem release am early for November 1988, he go stay for Soweto but ein health no ever come back again.

## Ein life matter
On 10 September 1941, Mothopeng marry Urbania Lonake. For 1942, de two move go municipal four-room house for Orlando West. Dem get four children: Locksley, Sheila, John den Lancelot.

While insyd prison, Urbania be out of work because she suffer from severe arthritis.

## Death den legacy
On 23 October 1990, Mothopeng die from chest den lung cancer plus pneumonia at age 78. People know am as de "Lion of Azania". Dem bury Mothopeng plus ein wife for Avalon Cemetery.

Insyd one ceremony on 22 October 2016, dem honour Mothopeng after ein death when Pela Street, near Vilakazi Street for Orlando West, Soweto, get rename to Zephania Mothopeng Street. Dis renaming follow de City of Johannesburg ein Policy on de Naming den Renaming of Streets plus Anoda Public Places. Zephania Mothopeng Street connect to de Hector Pieterson Precinct.

## References