VINCENT "TOIVO" TSHABALALA

Vincent "Toivo" Tshabalala was born on 15 August 1964.  He was a learner at Minerva High School in Alexandra Township in the early 1980's.  He was a chairperson of COSAS and in 1982, he became the founding member of Alexandra Youth Congress.  The following year in 1983 he left the country for exile where he joined the the African National Congress (ANC) and Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) as a guerilla fighter.  He returned to South Africa in 1984. On 9 February 1985 at the age of 20, this brave young man was martyred in a skirmish with the apartheid police in Alexandra. Imagine doing all this and being a martyr at the age of 20.

On Friday, 22 January 2016 Dennis and I attended with our dear friend, Thoba Karl-Halla,  a scholarship recognition event in honor of Vincent Tshabalala in Alexandra - The Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust.  "The Trust was initiated by friends and comrades of Vincent Tshabalala who died heroically in a battle with the apartheid regime in Alexandra Township in the 1980's.  The trust came as a fitting tribute to recognize Vincent's commitment to equal and better education and the struggle for a better South Africa.  It is also inspiration to the youth of Alexandra Township to strive to build a better future regardless of their background.  Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust was successfully launched on the 24th September 2004 at the Central Johannesburg College in Alexandra.  The college which is situated on Vincent Tshabalala Road has specific significance as it is within the College yard where Vincent died."  Thoba is a member of the Trust that helps with the fund raising for this students in Alexandra.  This year they raised over R3 million.  The scholarship money goes to graduating students in Alexandra that achieved high recognition.  This helps them further their education.  Twenty-one students received R35,000 and ten students received R60,000.  You should have heard the cheers when their names were called and the excitement of the participants as they came up to receive their money and a laptop.  Thoba was telling us that most of these students still study by candle light and have to overcome some serious challenges to achieve such high recognition in their schooling.  After driving through Alexandra to get to this event, I am a believer.

The master of ceremony....

 Thoba getting all the laptops and packages ready for the recipients. 

 The announcements begin....

 One of the winners

 Pure joy - must be some relative...

 This young man danced all the way up.  He was just too cute....

 I couldn't get enough of the excitement in the hall....

 Their hard work over many years finally reaping the benefits...

 This was the announcement of the young man that received the #1 recognition.  Highest scores of all the high schools.

The lady is Sizakele Nkosi - member of the National Executive Committee for Safety and Security

 His name was Zeepho - he wants to become a mechanical engineer.  The man next to him and the one that shook all the recipients hands, is Paul Mashatile, ( He is currently the chairperson for NEC - National Executive Committee and previously the provincial chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC).in Gauteng province.
As a student, Mashatile was an activist in the struggle against apartheid as a member of the Congress of South African Students and was the co-founder and first president of the Alexandra Youth Congress. He was detained without trial from 1985-1989, and participated in a nationwide protest by engaging in an 18-day hunger strike. When the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party were unbanned in 1990, he helped re-establish them and continued to organize on their behalf. He has held various administrative positions in Gauteng province, including serving in its legislature as Leader of the House).

 Here's all 31 students....

 Administer of Education of South Africa

 This man is one of the sponsors - he gave lots of money to the Trust

 Me and Thoba - love this lady

 Cleaning up...

 Some former recipients of the award

ALEXANDRA - over half million people 

Alexandra is a township located in the Gautang province of South Africa and forms part of Johannesburg and the upper-class suburb of Sandton.  Alexandra is one of the poorest urban areas in the country.  It has large numbers (estimated over 20,000) shacks.  

 Scenes from our drive through Alexandra Township, South Africa

Imagine having surgery in a place like this....

 After a successful event, we took Thoba and her granddaughter, Mazzi, out to dinner

"NOBLE IDEAS, LIKE  BRAVE WARRIORS NEVER DIE BUT LIVE INTO THE FUTURE"

How honored we were to be a part of this inspirational event.  Thanks Thoba for including us...