Watch: Stalwart Chris Hani remembered for his simple message of collectivism
“He envisioned a South Africa in which all sections of the populations would be developed into one South Africa which would be the basis for the end of human exploitation.” - president of the UMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association
The Ekurhuleni metro and the South African Communist Party (SACP) commemorated 26 years of the assassination of Chris Hani with a wreath-laying ceremony held at Thomas Nkobi Memorial Park on April 10.
Hani was gunned down outside his Dawn Park home in 1993. He was the former SACP leader and ANC national executive committee (NEC) member.
Dignitaries from leading political parties, cabinet ministers, deputy cabinet ministers and councillors honoured the late Struggle stalwart.
Hundreds of people who travelled in buses from various townships to honour Hani’s life proudly wore their ANC and SACP shirts and chanted struggle slogans.
Welcoming attendees, mayor Mzwandile Masina urged the people to not only reflect on the past, but also to draw a lesson from Hani’s life for the betterment of the future.
Speaking on behalf the Hani family, Lindiwe Hani said if her father were alive he would have been disappointed to see leaders putting their own interests ahead of the people’s needs.
“What we need in our country is for egos to be suppressed in favour of peace. It is no secret that racism is entrenched in our daily lives and the sad part is that we are still tip-toeing around it.
“I am very cognisant of the difficulties that average South Africans face within such an environment while we struggle to survive.
“Everybody wants to have a good job, but for me that is not the Struggle; what is important is the continuation of the Struggle.
“The real problems of the country are not the ones in cabinet but what we do for the social upliftment of the working masses.”
She read out a quote by her father: “We need to create the pathways to give hope to our youth that they can have the opportunity through education and hard work to escape the trap of poverty.”
She also said it was disheartening to be surrounded by many young people who want to make a change but don’t have the skills or means to do so.
Lindiwe Hani urged South Africans to exercise their right to vote for a government of their choice on May 8.
Chris Hani wreath laying ceremony #ChrisHani @BoksburgNews pic.twitter.com/t9pgoD23gG
— Ntombi Sibeko (@CharityNtombza) April 10, 2019
Attendees sing struggle songs at the 26th Chris Hani Wreath laying ceremony at the Thomas Nkobi Memorial Park #ChrisHani #Wreath laying @BoksburgNews pic.twitter.com/03uhwGARrF
— Ntombi Sibeko (@CharityNtombza) April 10, 2019
Ideals of the ANC
Speaking about the life of Hani and his vision, president of the UMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) Kebby Maphatsoe said Hani’s vison was a commitment to the ideals of the ANC.
“He envisioned a South Africa in which all sections of the populations would be developed into one South Africa which would be the basis for the end of human exploitation.”
In his speech, the general secretary of the SACP, Blade Nzimande, said they would not rest until the truth surrounding Hani’s death was revealed.
“The truth about who took the gun from the military armoury and how many hands formed the transmission chain until it reached Derby Lewis and Janusz Walus has not been disclosed.
“The SACP continues to stand against the release of Janusz Walus. We want full disclosure and we want justice to be done.
“The assassination of comrade Hani was not the act of one or two people,” Ndzimande said.
The secretary-general of the ANC, Ace Magashule, praised Hani for his simplicity and said that Hani believed in collectivism.
He also expressed his displeasure about the recently released book about him. The book, Gangster State, was authored by investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh.
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