On 17 June 2016, during the commemoration of the late Alexandra youth activist Japie Vilankulu, the first young person to be brutally killed by the Apartheid Police during the 1976 youth uprising. I had the opportunity to meet his family and learn more about the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. I was deeply moved by their story and by the pain they continue to carry decades later.
At the event, the Democratic Alliance (DA) proposed the establishment of the Japie Vilankulu Education Trust, an initiative aimed at supporting the long-term development of the Vilankulu family and preserving the legacy of young South Africans who paid the ultimate price in the struggle for freedom.
Inspired by the vision behind the Trust, I made a personal commitment to contribute a seed donation of R500,000. My intention was to support a meaningful initiative that would create opportunities for future generations and honour Japie Vilankulu’s legacy.
Acting on information provided through the Democratic Alliance and Advocate Andrew Cadman, on the 17th of July 2017, I made a payment to the Vilankulu Charitable Trust using the banking details that were forwarded to me at the time.
Unfortunately, what was presented as a noble initiative has since become a source of deep concern and disappointment. To this day, both the Vilankulu family and I remain in the dark regarding the whereabouts and management of the funds that were donated. Over the years, the Democratic Alliance has distanced itself from the Trust, leaving critical questions unanswered.
I have written to former DA leader John Steenhuisen and Advocate Andrew Cadman on several occasions seeking clarity on what happened to the funds and why the Trust has failed to fulfil its intended purpose. Despite these efforts, no satisfactory explanation or accountability has been provided.
As we recently commemorated 50 years since the death of Japie Vilankulu, we did so alongside his family in an atmosphere of sadness and frustration. For years, we have gathered to honour his memory while carrying the burden of unanswered questions regarding the disappearance of funds that were intended to uplift his family and preserve his legacy.
This situation raises serious concerns about how the Democratic Alliance used the Alexandra community and the Vilankulu family as part of a political campaign aimed at securing support from black residents, while the name and sacrifice of Japie Vilankulu were leveraged for political gain. This represents a profound betrayal of a family that has already endured immense loss, as well as a disregard for a community that continues to face significant socio-economic challenges.
Given that the Democratic Alliance is one of the highly funded political parties in South Africa, one would reasonably expect that it would have taken responsibility for ensuring proper governance of the Trust, investigating any alleged mismanagement, and safeguarding the continuation of the initiative in accordance with its original objectives. Instead, there has been a persistent cycle of deflection, silence, and a lack of accountability.
Nine years later, there is still no clear accounting for the funds, no transparency regarding the operation of the Trust, and no accountability from those involved.
Most tragically, there is a family that continues to mourn not only the loss of their son, but also the apparent destruction of a legacy that was meant to inspire and uplift future generations.
The Vilankulu family, the Alexandra community, and all those who contributed to this initiative deserve answers. Accountability is long overdue.
A Legacy Betrayed: Nine Years of Accountability Denied by The Democratic Alliance for the Japie Vilankulu Education Trust Disappeared Funds