December 9th, 2008
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Interview with Similo Grootboom
Click here to download the transcript of the first interview.
General Topic of interview: Memorialization, Monuments
Date: 4 August, 2008
Location: The Steve Biko Garden of Remembrance, King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa and the Steve Biko statue in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Narrator: Similo Grootboom
Interviewer: The Black Liberation Movements Mosaic Group
Transcriber: Corinthia Jacobs
Biographical Information:
Similo Grootboom, James Chapnick‘s host-father, serves as the Senior Manager of Museums and Heritage at the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s Department of Sport, Recreation, Art, and Culture. He was born in Zwelitsha Township and grew up in Port Elizabeth, later moving to King William’s Town in 1981. In the 1970s, Grootboom was involved with student-led political organizations, and was present in 1991 at the Bhisho Massacre. Prior to his employment in the Eastern Cape government, Mr. Grootboom worked as a school teacher.
Interview Information:
The first interview is a tour of two memorials in King William’s Town and their significance.
Click here to download the transcript of the second interview.
General Topic of Interview: Memorialization, Monuments
Date: 14 August, 2008
Location: Department of Sport, Recreation, Art, and Culture, King William’s Town, South Africa
Narrator: Similo Grootboom
Interviewer: Corinthia Jacobs
Transcriber: Corinthia Jacobs
Interview Information:
In his second interview, Grootboom discusses his early life, his impressions and knowledge of the Black Consciousness Movement and Steve Biko. This includes his memory of Biko’s funeral and the 1976 Soweto Uprising. He also recalls his presence at the 1991 Bhisho Massacre. Additionally, Mr. Grootboom speaks about commemorating the anti-apartheid struggle, the creation of new monuments and holidays, and the reburial of anti-apartheid activists who were killed by the National Party government and buried without dignity.