The monument commemorates the story of three young Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) combatants who died in the 1980 Silverton Siege in 1980 — Stephen Mafoko, Humphrey Makhubo and Wilfred Madela — all three were from Diepkloof, Soweto.
The Silverton Siege Monument was initiated by the Diepkloof Memorial Trust, in consultation with the CoJ, and with support from members of the Diepkloof community.
Monument / public art installation.
Created from scrap metal using an upturned rubbish skip as a base, surmounted by a figure brandishing a weapon in one hand, and in the other a defensive shield in the form of a dustbin lid. Rich in symbolism, it includes a head with three faces to represent the three freedom fighters, the dustbin lid speaks to the cultural struggles generally referred to as the Soweto Uprising, an AK47 represents the armed struggle, and the monument is topped with a feather like the one worn by King Shaka, on which perches a dove of peace to symbolise reconciliation.
The monument commemorates the story of three young Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) combatants who died in the 1980 Silverton Siege in 1980 — Stephen Mafoko, Humphrey Makhubo and Wilfred Madela — all three were from Diepkloof, Soweto.
The Silverton Siege Monument was initiated by the Diepkloof Memorial Trust, in consultation with the CoJ, and with support from members of the Diepkloof community.
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