Mmukubyane: History of ko bomong

Mmukubyane is connected with a specific story from the recent past: the deaths of youth activists Prompana Matthews Lerutla and Jeffrey Sibaya. Since the incident, local residents have known the place where they were killed as ko bomong. For travellers interested in history and remembrance, this gives the destination a serious, clearly defined focus.

The events of 1987

Around 16 June 1987, Lerutla and Sibaya, then aged 17 and 18, were abducted from Mamelodi and taken to an abandoned place on the outskirts of Mmukubyane. There, they were tortured and strangled with a car seat belt. Explosive devices were then attached to their bodies and detonated. The sequence of places distinguishes the starting point of the abduction from the place where they were killed: Mamelodi and the outskirts of Mmukubyane play different roles in this story.

Ko bomong: the place and its name

Ko bomong means “place of the bomb” and refers to the explosive devices attached to the bodies of the two activists and detonated after they were killed. It is also the name by which local residents have known the place since the incident. The violent history and the local place name thus come together in a single name.

Rituals and plans in July 2023

A spiritual repatriation and cleansing ceremony for four deceased Mamelodi activists was planned for 27 July 2023. It was to take place at the locations where they were killed in Kgomo Kgomo, Mmukubyane and Cyferskuil, in the Moretele Local Municipality, and precede a symbolic burial at Freedom Park. The plans covered several locations where the activists were killed; Freedom Park was designated as the destination for the symbolic burial.

On 28 July 2023, Samuel Lerutla and his sister Fonta performed rituals at the place known as ko bomong to communicate with Prompana’s spirit and enable his repatriation to Freedom Park and home for burial. The two accounts from late July differ in status and focus: a multi-location programme was planned for 27 July, while Samuel and Fonta performed rituals at ko bomong on 28 July.

Mmukubyane as a travel destination

If you are looking for holiday accommodation in Mmukubyane, this historical focus may influence your choice of destination. It suits a travel plan in which you would like to engage with recent history and remembrance. The events of 1987 and the rituals of 2023 give this interest a specific temporal and geographical context. The places serve different roles: Mamelodi is where the activists were abducted from; Mmukubyane is associated with the place where they were killed and with ko bomong; and Freedom Park is mentioned as the destination for the planned symbolic burial and intended repatriation. Distinguishing these roles makes the historical context easier to understand.

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