Solomon Mahlangu honoured at Wits

“My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight.” These were the words of struggle hero Solomon Mahlangu before his untimely death. The name Solomon Mahlangu will now take on a different context as the historic building at Wits University, which was known as Senate House has now been renamed after him.

The Wits SRC has announced that they have been successful in their bid to rename the historic space after the #FeesMusFall movement, where the student body congregated every day while protesting the then proposed ten per cent fees increase while evoking Solomon Mahlangu in song.

Senate House houses the fees office, bursars office as well the office of Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib.

Wits University’s SRC president Nompendulo Mkhatshwa said that it was only fitting that 37 years after the brutal hanging of one of the most formidable anti-apartheid youth leaders on 6 April 1979, that the Wits SRC were successful in their bid to rename Senate House to Solomon Mahlangu House.

“The historic renaming of this particular space, which has been the centre of student protest will be in commemoration to Solomon Mahlangu’s contribution to our country and the role he played in the reigniting of the youth in 2015 during the #FeesMustFall protests,” Mkhwatshwa said.

She added that as the 2016 SRC, they believed that this will symbolize a historical step in the ongoing struggle of students reclaiming and decolonizing university spaces.

Senior communications officer from Wits, Shirona Patel confirmed that the renaming of Senate House to Soloman Mahlangu House.

“The naming committee unanimously agreed that Senate House should be renamed Solomon Mahlangu House. This recommendation will be put forward to the relevant governance structures for consideration and ratification as appropriate,”she said.

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Details: Wits SRC, 084 598 2437