Kayamandi: Popo Setona
Title
Kayamandi: Popo Setona
Subject
Community history
Description
Popo Setona is one of the oldest members of the Kayamandi community and carries many years of stories and knowledge about the township.
Popo was born in 1941, when Kayamandi was being established as a township. He went to Langa High School in 1959 (where he met fellow Kayamandi resident Victor Myataza, on the right in the picture below), as there was no high school for Kayamandi schoolchildren. Unable to finish school due to lack of funds, Popo joined the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) political party in 1961, which started his political career.
He went to the Eastern Cape for initiation at the age of 20 (older than the habitual 18 years of age) in 1962, and on his return to Kayamandi it became apparent that he may soon be arrested for his political activism. The Special Forces were keeping an eye on PAC activity, making it difficult to have meetings. Political violence was becoming more prevalent. Popo considered escaping, but decided against it to look after his ill grandmother.
One morning at 4 am in 1963, the Special Forces came to his house to arrest him, and took him to Bellville Prison. He eventually ended up at Robben Island, where there was a large community of imprisoned PAC members. They held workshops and in this way attempted to continue the liberation struggle from prison. Popo stayed in cell C, with almost 20 fellow prisoners, and remembers that his time spent at Robben Island was difficult, however made easier by the sense of community the inmates shared.
He was released in 1965, whereafter he found work in Stellenbosch at a stationary shop, and continued his involvement with the PAC movement. During the UDF campaign of the 1980s, he and his wife started a tavern in their house after noticing the need for social gathering spaces to accommodate those taking part in the meetings. Three Sons Tavern was born, and continued to be an institution in Kayamandi for many years where locals could get together for a beer.
Today, Popo is retired and lives with his wife, Monica, and daughter in a house in Kayamandi, where he is a regular contributor to the Reconciliation Lunches held at the Legacy Centre.
Popo was born in 1941, when Kayamandi was being established as a township. He went to Langa High School in 1959 (where he met fellow Kayamandi resident Victor Myataza, on the right in the picture below), as there was no high school for Kayamandi schoolchildren. Unable to finish school due to lack of funds, Popo joined the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) political party in 1961, which started his political career.
He went to the Eastern Cape for initiation at the age of 20 (older than the habitual 18 years of age) in 1962, and on his return to Kayamandi it became apparent that he may soon be arrested for his political activism. The Special Forces were keeping an eye on PAC activity, making it difficult to have meetings. Political violence was becoming more prevalent. Popo considered escaping, but decided against it to look after his ill grandmother.
One morning at 4 am in 1963, the Special Forces came to his house to arrest him, and took him to Bellville Prison. He eventually ended up at Robben Island, where there was a large community of imprisoned PAC members. They held workshops and in this way attempted to continue the liberation struggle from prison. Popo stayed in cell C, with almost 20 fellow prisoners, and remembers that his time spent at Robben Island was difficult, however made easier by the sense of community the inmates shared.
He was released in 1965, whereafter he found work in Stellenbosch at a stationary shop, and continued his involvement with the PAC movement. During the UDF campaign of the 1980s, he and his wife started a tavern in their house after noticing the need for social gathering spaces to accommodate those taking part in the meetings. Three Sons Tavern was born, and continued to be an institution in Kayamandi for many years where locals could get together for a beer.
Today, Popo is retired and lives with his wife, Monica, and daughter in a house in Kayamandi, where he is a regular contributor to the Reconciliation Lunches held at the Legacy Centre.
Creator
Popo Setona
Files
Collection
Citation
Popo Setona, “Kayamandi: Popo Setona,” RADA , accessed November 21, 2024, https://collections.sun.ac.za/rada/items/show/163.