Remembering my Totem “Unity is Strength” growing in Bophuthatswana Matthews Bantsijang Learning everything about Unity started when I joined the ANC Masupatsela or ANC Young Pioneers partly underground and camouflaged under other organisations in the early 1980s, being at young age of around 10 years in Mafikeng, under Bophuthatswana then. Even 40 years + later, as a product of ANC Masupatsela, I am still the hardcore believer, an agent, and a protagonist of Unity. I might not be present “Tintswalo”, but I am “Matthews” of ANC Masupatsela, who was part of pre 1994 Masupatsela that boldly defied Bophuthatswana Government with some Young Comrades, late and some still alive, persecuted for wanting to see Bophuthatswana being part of South Africa, as it was envisaged by ANC led by Nelson Mandela and ANC President Oliver Tambo! It was irony of our upbringing as our Christian parents then that were pro-Bophuthatswana mainly of three reasons. being bread and butter issues, being part of Kingly Royalty simply ‘Bogosi’ under Bophuthatswana Government, and lastly, the progressive Bophuthatswana government. It was difficult then to undertake military training in the 80s at that young age. The opportunity available for military training then at that age under Bophuthatswana Government then was limited, only the likes of Boys Scouts organisations. It was then my late Brother Oupa Bantsijang – may his soul rest in peace – and myself then that joined Boys Scouts where we learned about a Scouting that helps youth to develop academically, discipline, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills, and that influenced the future of our adult lives. We also learned about the basics of camping, basic riffle handling and some military survival skills. Typical Compatriots who lived my typical life as “Matthews” of ANC Masupatsela, are Oarabile Podile and Warabile Mokaila in Mahikeng. The other opportunity that we also received with my late Brother apart from Boys Scout and sometime undertaking Karate training, it was joining Military Cadet provided by Bophuthatwana Government at High School level. We were motivated to die for the good principles, that brought my present believe, that is inline with what President Nelson Mandela once said as “… It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realised. But my Lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”. Beyond unity understanding, I still and will always subscribe to the Military Cadet Code of obeying all lawful commands and respecting all superiors but will refuse to obey an obviously illegal order. I will always carry out my mission with courage and assist my comrades-in-arms, even at the risk of my own life. Unity was still a lesson which was defined by Boys Scout which are similar principles of having teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness, and commitment. Black Child! Ngwana wa Mmu!

1. Remembering my Totem “Unity is Strength” growing in Bophuthatswana
Matthews Bantsijang
Learning everything about Unity started when I joined the ANC Masupatsela or ANC
Young Pioneers partly underground and camouflaged under other organisations
in the early 1980s, being at young age of around 10 years in Mafikeng, under
Bophuthatswana then. Even 40 years + later, as a product of ANC Masupatsela,
I am still the hardcore believer, an agent, and a protagonist of Unity. I might
not be present “Tintswalo”, but I am “Matthews” of ANC Masupatsela, who
was part of pre 1994 Masupatsela that boldly defied Bophuthatswana
Government with some Young Comrades, late and some still alive, persecuted
for wanting to see Bophuthatswana being part of South Africa, as it was
envisaged by ANC led by Nelson Mandela and ANC President Oliver Tambo! It was
irony of our upbringing as our Christian parents then that were pro-Bophuthatswana
mainly of three reasons. being bread and butter issues, being part of Kingly Royalty simply
‘Bogosi’ under Bophuthatswana Government, and lastly, the progressive Bophuthatswana government.
It was difficult then to undertake military training in the 80s at that young age. The opportunity available for military
training then at that age under Bophuthatswana Government then was limited, only the likes of Boys Scouts organisations.
It was then my late Brother Oupa Bantsijang – may his soul rest in peace – and myself then that
joined Boys Scouts where we learned about a Scouting that helps youth to develop academically,
discipline, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills, and that influenced the
future of our adult lives. We also learned about the basics of camping, basic riffle handling and
some military survival skills. Typical Compatriots who lived my typical life as “Matthews” of ANC
Masupatsela, are Oarabile Podile and Warabile Mokaila in Mahikeng.
The other opportunity that we also received with my late Brother apart from Boys Scout and sometime undertaking Karate
training, it was joining Military Cadet provided by Bophuthatwana Government at High School level. We were motivated
to die for the good principles, that brought my present believe, that is inline with what President Nelson Mandela once
said as “… It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realised. But my Lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I
am prepared to die.”. Beyond unity understanding, I still and will always subscribe to the Military Cadet Code of obeying all
lawful commands and respecting all superiors but will refuse to obey an obviously illegal order. I will always carry out my
mission with courage and assist my comrades-in-arms, even at the risk of my own life. Unity was still a lesson which was
defined by Boys Scout which are similar principles of having teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning,
communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness, and commitment.
The lesson that I will also always treasure is the Scout Law that says a Scout is
trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave,
clean, and reverent. In addition to that, the lesson of “United we stand” has brought
me so far. Experience of undergoing all the training of Boys Scouts, Karate and as a
Military Cadet, taught me that united we conquer, we win, hence my totem for life is
that “Kopano ke Matla” or “Unity is Strength”. I can only wish that all Cadres of ANC
Nationally, Provincially, Regionally, and at Branch levels can understand the strength
of Unity is Strength, and it will always be my mission and dream to see ANC united. A
wish to our young ANC Masupatsela Boys and Girls is that we raise them well and
teach them proper to be strong men and women who can lead and unite society like
their parents, respecting the ANC Constitution that Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu was
executed for.
(Matthews Bantsijang) My #WCW is Totem, I grew up with as “Unity is Strength” as “Kopano ke Matla”.