Even then, they say they honour him because he was once their member. [Laughter.]
In 1967, long before the Matola Raid, a unit of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, Apla, fighters under commander Gerard Kondlo, was intercepted by Portuguese forces in Mozambique. What followed was the celebrated battle of Villa Peri. The South African ... [Interjections.] Well, that is true, unless you don't know your history, hon Minister. [Laughter.] The South African government had to send reinforcements to help overcome the freedom fighters. Why is only the Matola Raid memorialised in Mozambique? Why is there a conspiratorial silence over the PAC-inspired Poqo uprisings? Why is there no mention of the Lion of Azania, Zephania "Uncle Zeph" Mothopeng? The heritage project is fundamentally flawed, because it is biased and partisan. It smacks of party-propaganda posturing. Of the 134 people who were executed for political reasons, 94 were PAC members, and that is beyond denial. Bhekaphansi Vulindlela, a PAC member, was executed at the age of 18, making him the youngest person to be executed for political reasons. I am teaching you a history lesson, hon Minister. [Interjections.]
The oldest person was also a PAC member, Hlathi Blayi, who was executed at the age of 63. Jafta Masemola spent a longer time than any other person on Robben Island as a political prisoner. [Interjections.] David Maphumzana Sibeko pioneered the cause of the South African struggle at the United Nations. In fact, after he had delivered his speeches, African diplomats used to carry him shoulder high. He was a giant. [Time expired.] [Applause.]