FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The African National Congress( ANC) in the Eastern Cape has today learnt with shock and sadness of the passing of Comrade Mzwakhe Vulindlela Luse, MK Liberation War Veteran from eNxuba (Cradock).
Colonel Mzwakhe Luse was born in Cradock and was one of the militant youth of the 1970s to 1980 in that area. Influenced by the heroism of the heroes of the Wankie & Sipolio campaigns he joined the underground ranks of uMkhonto we Sizwe. He was a brave Young Lion whose blistering roars struck deep fear in the enemy camp, while drawing loud cheers from the people`s camp.
Comrade Vulindlela Luse was not a coward. Like many fearless youth of his time, he responded to the clarion call of President Oliver Tambo to render apartheid unworkable and make the country ungovernable. He left the country in 1983 and was trained in Angola and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) amongst others and became a trained Political Commissar of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Colonel Luse belonged to the Madenoga detachment of uMkhonto we Sizwe. He is a veteran of both the Eastern and Northen Fronts in Angola.
He was part of a generation that chose to fight, rather than submit, as called upon by the founding MK manifesto. Comrade Luse popularly known as Vulindlela excelled as one of the best instructors of Tactics of combat. He has trained many MK soldier. Comrade Luse dedicated his whole adult life to the liberation struggle, both as a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and of Umkhonto we Sizwe Liberation War Veterans (MKLWV).
He returned to South Africa after 1990 and integrated into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). He retired from the SANDF in 2018 with the rank of a Colonel. After his retirement Vulindlela served in the Provincial Executive of MKLWV in the Eastern Cape and later served as a regional executive member of the Northern Region. He was one of the best military Tacticians of MK who trained many MK soldiers.
The spear of a great revolutionary and fellow MK liberation soldier has fallen, as we bow in reverence to pick it up we vow to raise it high and with renewed vigor to continue with the struggle.
In Comrade Luse’s passing, the ANC has been robbed of a dedicated, loyal and patriotic freedom fighter as well as a capable leader.
He passed away on Monday, 21 July 2025 after a short illness. He leaves behind his wife and children.
Our heartfelt condolences goes out to Comrade Vulindlela Luse’s family , relatives , friends and comrades in the Congress Movement. All of us in the ANC and in MK Liberation War Veterans lost a dear friend, comrade, and true liberation fighter.
Hamba kahle mkhonto.
ENDS…
ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS – EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Enquiries :
Cde Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
ANC Eastern Cape
Mobile No-0849519924/0848439706
