The struggle for freedom narrative can only enrich all of us

One such new title Fighting For My Country: The Testimony of a Freedom Fighter by Sandi Sijake hits the bookshelves.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

The narrative of the struggle for freedom in this country will always be a subject that will stay with us for a long time, and not only because the path to freedom and democracy  was brutal and painful, but also because with that history we would not be the country that we are today.

And therefore the efforts of those who were part of the struggle who continue to tell their personal involvement  from of course their personal perspectives is not only a personal narrative, but also a collective narrative of the evolution of this country from a segregated country to one that is free and democratic.

Over the years, several books have been published by many a former struggle hero to different degrees of literary merit, from the boring to those that carry artistic and literary flair. These books can only enrich South Africa’s history told by several authors and told from various perspectives.

It is therefore important that one such book, which has been penned by someone who was involved in the struggle for freedom has just hit the bookshelves. The publishing of this new title
Fighting For My Country: The Testimony of a Freedom Fighter by Sandi Sijake, published by Jacana Media, should therefore be seen from this background of books that chronicle the struggle for freedom written by those who were part of it.

This groundbreaking account tells the remarkable, untold story of the early days of uMkhontoweSizwe (MK) and the critical international alliances that armed and trained South Africa’s freedom fighters, by a participant. Through vivid and detailed recollections, Sijake transports readers from Sudan and Egypt to Tanganyika and Tashkent, offering a glimpse into the heart of the Pan-African and Soviet efforts that fuelled the anti-apartheid struggle. Fighting For My Country: The Testimony of a Freedom Fighter doesn’t just chronicle the revolutionary training camps and clandestine supply routes; it also provides an intimate look at Sijake’s time on Robben Island. His encounters with figures from SWAPO, PAC, and other liberation movements bring depth to his gripping narrative, shedding light on the early conversations that paved the way for negotiations and the resilience required to endure life in confinement. In one thrilling chapter, Sijake recalls an MK operation on the Transkei coast with plans orchestrated alongside stalwarts Chris Hani and Oliver Tambo. From navigating hidden harbours to examining Soviet-supplied weapons and armaments aboard the boat Aventura, Sijake offers a first-hand perspective on a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom. His story resonates with the courage, sacrifice, and unity of those who refused to bow under oppression. This memoir is a tribute to Sijake’s unwavering commitment to liberation and an essential addition to the history of South Africa’s journey to freedom. Readers will find here both an adventure and an inspiring reflection on the sacrifices made for justice.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in 1945 in the Eastern Cape, Sandi Sijake joined the ANC in 1959 and left for exile in 1963. Captured in 1972, Sijake was sentenced in 1973 to 15 years and sent to Robben Island. Released in 1988, Sijake joined the SANDF in 1995, and in 2009 he was elected president of the ANC Veteran’s League.