The Worker’s Museum is proud to host “Azikhwelwa” or “We won’t ride”, an exhibition to honour the many men and women who protested against oppressive pricing by an oppressive state.

At the beginning of 1957, the Putco Bus Company, suddenly and without warning, increased bus fares by 25% on the Alexandra route, with similar increases on the Sophiatown-Western Native Township route, on the Pretoria route as well as other services. As a result, many could not afford basic household items such as food, clothes, and electricity.

In protest, the people of Alexander decided not to board the buses, electing to rather walk. The average worker from Alexander walked about 32kms daily, five to six times a week. Other workers in other places also decided to boycott the bus service in support of their counterparts.

The boycott lasted for seven months, and continued despite governments’ instructions to employers to cut wages if workers arrived late or fire them if they showed any signs of fatigue. However - despite fighting both the state, the burden of fatigue from long hard days of work and longer walks and arriving at home late – day after day, workers continued undeterred with their boycott. This became the most successful boycott to be recorded in the history of Alexander Township.

“As we wrap up Transport Month, it is important that we take time to reflect as a nation about how far we have come, and about how those who came before us sacrificed and suffered so that we can have access to spaces that were previosly only reserved for the white minority. We often enjoy, without thinking, the conveniences – to move around so easily and freely, anywhere we like. But, a price was paid, and through this exhibition, we pay tribute to those who protested,” said Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba, MMC for Community Development.

The exhibition also depicts the history of Alexander Township, which was established in 1912, a year before the Union of South Africa passed the Native Land Act of 1913. The township became one of the urban areas where blacks could own land under a freehold title. There was no basic service delivery such as sanitation or decent housing, as the Johannesburg City Council refused to include the township under its municipal boundary. Alexander became the home of African migrants from different parts of South Africa seeking job opportunities in Johannesburg. The population grew as the demand for cheap labour increased significantly.

“Azikhwelwa” had an adverse political and economic impact on the Apartheid government and the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce. The exhibition allows us to revisit our collective past so that we can collectively work towards meaningful redress in our City.

The exhibition launch is as follows:

Date: 27 October 2018

Time: 10am – 1pm

Venue: Workers’ Museum

The exhibition will run until the 27th of January, 2019.

For more information, please contact:

Mr Rambau Fhatuwani, Chief Curator

Cell: 084 454 6912

Tel: 011 435 9489

Email: FhatuwaniR@joburg.org.za