Ongkgopotse Tiro Hall is a popular venue in the university of Limpopo, known for hosting graduation ceremonies, and other monumental events. it was named in honour of Abram Onkgopotse Tiro, a student activist known for his unwavering critique of apartheid’s oppressive regime.
The conic hall is a lasting testament to his unwavering dedication to justice, ensuring his impact endures. Through annual memorial lectures and various initiatives, the university keeps his spirit alive, fostering a new generation of activists and advocates of justice.Tiro, a Black Consciousness Movement activist, was born on the 9th of November 1947 in Dinokana village, where he spent most of his childhood under the gentle guidance of his grandmother.
Tiro’s early life was shaped by meaningful ties with his uncle, Ned Onkgopotse Tiro whom he was named after and his aunt, Bafedile Masoba. Through his involvement in their bakery, he was equipped with invaluable organisational and leadership skills, laying the foundation for his future pursuits.Tiro took his first step towards higher education in 1968, enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts program in Humanities at the University of the North, which is now known as University of Limpopo. While he was there, he drew on writers such as Frantz Fanon, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Influential figures like Kenneth Kaunda and Julius Nyerere who resonated with the principles of the US Black Power movement, embracing its call for racial equality and social justice.
He sought an Adventist church in a nearby town, only to be turned away because it was “for whites only.”His final year at university was marked by his election as President of the Student Representative Council(SRC). At his graduation ceremony on April 29th 1972, he delivered a powerful speech known as the “Turfloop Testimony,” criticising the apartheid regime and the Bantu Education Act. This bold move led to his immediate expulsion, sparking nationwide student strikes in solidarity. Despite this, he continued to play a key role in student activism, becoming the Permanent Organiser of the South African Students Organisation (SASO) and President of the Southern African Students’ Movement.
Through his activism, he challenged the injustices of apartheid and the limitations imposed by the Bantu Education Act.Abram Onkgopotse Tiro, a former SASO Leader, Teacher and Activist was killed by a parcel bomb in Botswana, on 01 February 1974. Today, the University of Limpopo honours the legacy of Abraham Onkgopotse Tiro, a tireless activist who fought against apartheid and its injustices.
Image from Facebook UL Varsity
His unwavering determination demonstrates the power of collective action and the impact that united black communities can have in challenging inequality and shaping a more just world.
Sub-Editor : Thibela Thandeka
