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Tragedy and large-scale loss of life often dominate headlines, and news organisations recognise the importance of covering these events thoroughly, yet with understanding and empathy.
Over the past 75 years, SABC News has been both witness to and messenger of numerous tragedies and massacres -documenting their impact and how they shaped the country’s history.
In this reflection, our reporter in East London, Lubabalo Dada, revisits two significant events that took place in the region, 30 years apart: the Bhisho massacre in 1992 and the Enyobeni tavern tragedy in 2022.
The transition to democracy in South Africa was marked by deep political tension. Many died during this time.
On the 7th of September 1992, 28 protesters and one Ciskei Defence Force soldier died when members of the CDF opened fire on thousands of people who were marching to Bhisho to demand that the Ciskei become part of South Africa.
More than 200 people were injured and wounded.
Ntembeko Mafa from KwaMaqoma, formerly Fort Beaufort, was only 22 years old at the time. He was hit by a bullet and lost the ability to walk.
Mafa says, “I felt something on my left hand side on my upper body and all of a sudden I fell, and I tried to stand up but I could not. I saw a small spot of blood on my left. I tried, but I could not. Then I cried for help, and some of the comrades responded; there were also other guys who were down. They took me to a vehicle that was collecting some of us.”
Former SABC reporter Phila Ngqumba was covering the march. He still can’t believe that he miraculously dodged the bullets flying around that day.
Ngqumba says, “I don’t know how we survived. We were a group of journalists who were in front of the march and those guys opened fire. What saved us was that there was a ditch along this road. We went for that ditch, and when we got up, we realised that it was a war situation. People were lying dead, some screaming, and we didn’t know what to do. We were all shocked.”
But the carnage did not deter Ngqumba from reporting, informing the world of what transpired.
“Our various newsrooms were expecting stories from us to report. We were shaking and shocked, but we had to do what was expected of us to do, which that to cover this event. I was shocked for a week … to realise that people were killed like flies by armed soldiers … innocent protesters, I was numb,” adds Ngqumba.
30 years later, another tragedy hit the Eastern Cape province.
Twenty-one patrons died at the Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park in East London in June 2022.
The SABC was the first news team to arrive at the scene.
SABC reporter Abongile Jantjies remembers the day as if it were yesterday.
SABC reporter Abongile Jantjies says, “It’s one of those stories which I pick up as one of the most traumatic and one of the most emotional stories that we’ve ever covered here in the East London region of the SABC.”
“Even today, those memories still linger in my mind. I remember one of the parents crying, saying that one of his children made it home, but he can’t find his daughter, and unfortunately, she perished here at Enyobeni tavern.”
The public broadcaster continues to follow the developments around this story, as families of the victims search for answers as to what happened to their children.
An inquest is underway to determine accountability for the tragedy.
