ANC NEC members , Cde Thabang Makwetla and Cde Lindiwe Sisulu are today leading ANC’s commemoration of the late struggle hero, Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, who was hanged by the apartheid government 40 years ago.
“The year 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the execution by hanging of Mahlangu, an ANC uMkhonto weSizwe combatant. He was hanged by the apartheid regime at the Pretoria Central Prison on 6 April 1979. Before he was executed, Mahlangu said: ‘My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the struggle’.
The execution provoked international protest and condemnation of South Africa’s apartheid policy.
In fear of crowd reaction at the funeral, the police decided to bury Mahlangu in Atteridgeville (another township some 55km from the one Mahlangu hailed from). On 6 April 1993, he was reinterred at the Mamelodi Cemetery.
Members of the media are invited to cover the proceedings of the commemoration which will unfold as follows:
Date : Thursday, 2 May 2019
Venue: Fort Hare University(Alice Campus)
Time : 17h00
Issued by:
ANC EC Communications
Enquiries
ANC Media & Liaison Officer
Judy Mpetsheni
Mobile No: 0636878267/0731176194
Gift Ngqondi
Head of Communications
Mobile No:0848439706/0849519924
