By Tholakele Thabane
Bongani Jonas, affectionately known as Uhuru, is a dedicated activist born and raised in Bekkersdal, Gauteng. With over a decade of experience in activism and community-based work, Uhuru has established himself as a steadfast advocate for community rights and freedom from mining oppression.
Uhuru’s activist journey began at 18 and has since honed his skills by engaging with various social movements. A talented sportsman, Uhuru was a professional cricket and rugby player.
Growing up in a mining community has fueled his passion to fight tirelessly for the rights and
interests of his community. 2012 was the year where Uhuru’s community’s struggle and activism reached its peak. He became the youngest community chairperson for a community struggle forum, where he led for five years. This is when he was introduced to MACUA at a Mining Charter programme attended by at least 150 community-based representatives.
Uhuru’s leadership
Uhuru is YAMUA’s National Youth Organiser, a portfolio that ensures that the youth structure of the movement is capacitated into the movement’s activities.
Uhuru led a successful Youth Toxic Cycling Tour on 16 June this year. This project was an empowerment for young activists who are yet to become prominent activists in their mining communities. The project served not only as an inspiration, but also as a learning curve for the YAMUA comrades.
Using his planning, organising and leadership skills, Uhuru was able to ensure that the project is a remarkable success and to teach the youth activists about Just Energy Transition and Climate Justice, among other lessons.
He has run one of the biggest branches in the movement, running a district as a branch and has also attained organisational, lobbying campaigns, protest actions campaigns and non-violent activities skills.
A visionary for a more compassionate and inclusive community Uhuru’s activism work is vast and extensive. In 2011, he established a Youth in Arts and Culture and Recreation Centre for ex-convicts to place them in workplaces and help them adjust back into the community.
Uhuru is currently running a children’s housing facility for orphans and vulnerable children named, Hope for Our Children, and has so far housed 30 children who were referred for adoption.
Uhuru is also a part of a community organisation called The Chosen Generation, advocates for anti-bullying. Earlier in the year, they launched an anti-bullying campaign at local schools and invited fathers and sons to take part in the initiative which significantly increased awareness and led to the decrease of bullying among pupils.
“I have filled spaces in my community that I have never imagined filling and going
forward I am anticipating going into the politics of the organisation,” Uhuru mentions. “It is not over until the fat lady sings, my activism continues, and I will continue to strive for my dreams,” said Uhuru.