Solomon Mahlangu
Solomon Mahlangu | |
---|---|
Born | Umkhonto weSizwe | July 10, 1956
Parent | Martha Mahlangu[1] |
Awards | Order of Mendi for Bravery (2005) |
Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu (10 July 1956 – 6 April 1979) was a South African freedom fighter, struggle activist and operative of the
Early years
Mahlangu was born in Pretoria on 10 July 1956, the second son of Martha Mahlangu. His father left in 1962 and as a result he was raised by his mother, a domestic worker. He attended Mamelodi High School up to Standard 8 (his tenth year of school).[2]
Military training
In 1976 Mahlangu flew to
Arrest
The three comrades-in-arms, each carrying a large suitcase, were climbing into a taxi in Diagonal Street in the centre of Johannesburg. An ordinary policeman became suspicious and grabbed one of the suitcases. An
Trial and sentence
Mahlangu's trial started in the Supreme Court on 7 November 1977. He was defended by two advocates, Messrs Ismail Mohamed,
Mahlangu was hanged on 6 April 1979.[2] Before going to the gallows he reportedly said: "Tell my people that I love them and that they must continue the fight, my blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom, A luta continua."[4]
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The commission examined the cases of Solomon Mahlangu and Monty Motaung and found that both of them were responsible for the deaths of Rupert Kessner and Kenneth Wolfendale. It also found both Mahlangu and Motaung guilty of gross human rights violations. Lastly it found both the African National Congress and the commanding officer of Umkhonto we Sizwe guilty of gross human rights violations.[3]: 592–594
Legacy
Solomon Mahlangu is commemorated in the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom Square in his hometown of Mamelodi, Pretoria. The square is focused on a bronze statue of Mahlangu.[5] In the city of Durban, there was a major arterial road named 'Edwin Swales VC Drive', after a RAF bomber commander who died in 1945. Following proposals made by the eThekwini Municipality, the road was changed to honour Mahlangu. A main arterial road in Pretoria that runs through Solomon Mahlangu's hometown of Mamelodi was renamed from Hans Strijdom Drive to Solomon Mahlangu Drive.[6] In 2016, the main administrative building at the University of the Witwatersrand, formerly known as Senate House, was renamed Solomon Mahlangu House.[7]
The 2016 film
See also
References
- ^ Sapa (13 March 2014). "Zuma reveals scholarship after Martha Mahlangu's death". The M&G Online.
- ^ a b c d "Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu". South African History Online. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
- ^ a b Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report (PDF). Vol. 3. South African Department of Justice. 1998.
- ^ "'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.'". amandla.org.za. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
- ^ "Solomon Mahlangu Statue details". Artefacts.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "City loses battle over street names | Rekord East". 12 August 2015.
- ^ "EWN - Eyewitness News — Wits to rename Senate House after Solomon Mahlangu". Archived from the original on 14 April 2016.
- ^ "Rhodes University hall residences renamed after Solomon Mahlangu and Hugh Masekela". www.ru.ac.za. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2022.