Today, the African National Congress (ANC) remembers the martyrs of Matola Raid. On this day, forty years ago, the racist apartheid regime unleashed its most callous brutality against the African National Congress in Mozambique. The attack on that fateful morning of 30 January 1981 claimed the lives of fifteen Umkhonto we Sizwe combatants.
As we commemorate this historic day and pay tribute to our fallen soldiers who died with their boots on, we must never forget their selflessness and sacrifices. They laid down their lives in pursuit of freedom and justice. These are the true martyrs whose lives were taken in cold blood and with naked brutality:
- Mduduzi Guma
- Lancelot Hadebe
- Mandla Daka
- Daniel Molokisi
- Steven Ngcobo
- Vusumzi Ngwema
- Thabang Bookolane
- Krishna Rabilal
- Themba Dimba
- William Khanyile
- Motso “Obadi” Mokgabudi
- Collin Khumalo
- Levinson Mankankaza
- Albert Mahutso
- Vuyani Mavuso
Vuyani Mavuso was kidnapped during the raid, and was later executed when he refused to cooperate with apartheid security forces to betray his comrades.
The raid, not only confirmed that apartheid was a crime against humanity, but it.was also a blatant and provocative violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Mozambique.
The Matola Raid led to the acceleration of the struggle for liberation. The armed struggle, mass action, underground work and international solidarity against apartheid were intensified more than ever before.
The best tribute we can pay to the Matola Raid martyrs is to spare neither strength nor effort to ensure that the legacy of apartheid and colonialism are eradicated and that all South Africans are liberated from the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
The call to action is for all cadres of the movement to make sure that their sacrifices were never in vain. On the 40th anniversary of Matola Raid, let us make a solemn pledge that we will never betray the ideals for which they laid down their lives.
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ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
Enquiries:
Pule Mabe
National Spokesperson
071 623 4975
