ANC, family and other supporters gather to remember Solomon Mahlangu
The young ANC MK operative was hanged for murder 40 years ago.
Picture: Twitter/@GovernmentZA
On Saturday morning, friends and family of the late Solomon Mahlangu joined government and ANC officials at the prison in Pretoria where Mahlangu was hanged 40 years ago.
In attendance was ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule and Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, who gave a keynote address.
Government together with the Solomon Mahlangu family in company with the @NYDARSA and the @NHCSouthAfrica commemorate the 40th anniversary of the late Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu under the theme “The Fruits of Freedom on the 25th Anniversary of Democracy”. #Kalushi40 pic.twitter.com/jOC0ZcUHHf
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 6, 2019
It was announced this week that Mahlangu’s mother Martha’s home in Mamelodi West is set to become a national heritage site.
Mahlangu was hanged by the apartheid regime on April 6 1979 at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, then known as the Pretoria Central Prison.
He was an operative of the ANC military wing, uMkhonto weSizwe. He was convicted of the murder of two white civilians in Johannesburg.
The execution provoked international protest and condemnation of South Africa’s internal policy. In fear of crowd reaction at the funeral, the police decided to bury Mahlangu in Atteridgeville.
On 6 April 1993 he was reinterred at the Mamelodi Cemetery, where a plaque states his supposed last words: “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.”
Did you know that Cdr Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu died on 06 April 1979 at Dr. Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Service. #Kalushi40 pic.twitter.com/w6KSdrM6gL
— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) April 6, 2019
Today marks 40 years since the death of #SolomonMahlangu who was hanged at the then Pretoria Central Prison at the age of 22. He was one of 134 political prisoners who suffered the same fate. pic.twitter.com/c2sJeEwLl6
— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) April 6, 2019
Family and comrades remembering freedom fighter #SolomonMahlangu at the Gallows-#KgosiMampuru correctional services facility in PTA. They are marking the 40th anniversary since he was hanged by the apartheid regime #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/X5D3bpM5oz
— Patricia Visagie (@Patrweezy) April 6, 2019
Minister @NathiMthethwaSA: It evokes unpleasant memories of the turbulent apartheid years, but can help those who were born after the dawn of democracy to understand the heavy price their forebears paid for democracy. #Kalushi40 2/2 pic.twitter.com/KrUoGfNLnP
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 6, 2019
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