Foreword

Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Cllr Mzwandile Masina Honouring Hani in uncertain times

I was 19 at the time of this rest, to preserve my health, to tragic incident and a student at have time with my family when Mpontseng High School in there are other people who are Katlehong, I was among the no longer alive when they The 27th anniversary of South hundreds of young people who sacrificed what is most African Communist Party poured into Dawn Park when precious: namely life itself?” stalwart and Umkhonto we news of the incident first broke. That sums up the man that Sizwe commander Chris We found the scene cordoned Hani was. Martin Thembisile Hani takes off by police before Hani’s place in fearful and uncertain body was removed. With the More importantly, without times. It finds almost half the mood both tense and sombre, being conscious of it, Hani’s world’s population under we awaited to be addressed by principles and those of a various forms of restrictive the then chairman of the ANC number of other struggle measures adopted to contain in the Pretoria Witwatersrand heroes who did not live to see the spread of the Covid19 and Vaal region, Tokyo democracy underpin South pandemic. Sexwale. Africa’s constitution. Most is in the midst of notable of these is the Bill of an unprecedented lockdown I was also at Hani’s funeral a Rights, which contains rights which prevented us as the City week later to listen to ANC that Hani believed citizens are of Ekurhuleni from hosting the President call entitled to from birth without commemoration as would have for calm and restraint and the having to fight for them. From wished. This would have resolve as we were working to an early age, Hani was driven included the opening of the usher in a democratic order. by a desire for a better Chris Hani Museum at the These events shaped my desire treatment of African workers stalwart’s home in Dawn Park to honour struggle heroes, who were exploited and on 10 April 2020. But this especially those who paid with treated unjustly. His exposure should not prevent us from their lives, and I am grateful for to the racist nature of celebrating his memory in our the opportunity to lead the successive minority hearts, through virtual means as process since assuming office governments that shaped his enabled by technology and in August 2016. The process belief in human rights as through the written words as turning Hani’s home into the contained in the constitution. we do in this special Chris Hani Chris Hani museum, now in its digital edition today. final stages, is a profound and Hani was passionate about and significant one. preoccupied with eradicating Hani’s assassination was a Hunger, promoting good potentially cataclysmic event Hani’s most enduring value is Health and Housing for all. that simultaneously threatened that of selflessness and These three Hs of Health, to derail South Africa’s sacrifice. He is known to have Housing and Hunger guide our democracy project, as its openly declared “I have never work as a city and realising orchestrators had intended, but wanted to spare myself them is our tribute to this also galvanised the country to because I feel there are people revolutionary giant, who was embark on the last leg of the who are no longer around and granted freedom of the city in journey towards the historic died for this struggle. What November 2006. 1994 general election. right do I have to hold back, to

2. Executive Mayor Cllr Mzwandile Masina laying a wreath during the previous Chris Hani’s commemoration

Our 93 clinics all enjoy ideal which is aimed at stimulating limit our movement and status and are ready to serve as economic activity through observe strict hygiene sites for the National Health tourism. Hani would have measures. Insurance (NHI) and makes us wanted the museum to one of the best regions in stimulate economic activities to If Hani were alive today, his call primary health care in the benefit primarily his to the global leadership would country. On housing, we set neighbouring community of be for calm and solutions in the ourselves the target of Dawn Park but also the wider midst of an epidemic. Hani providing 100 000 during our community of Ekurhuleni. He would call for the term of office and to date, we would want to see the museum strengthening of global public have provided 30 000 houses and the Memorial Park named health systems and and 59 000 serviced stands to in his honour and situated next improvement of universal improve access to housing. As to his grave contribute directly access to health. For South a city, we spend R4 billion towards the creation of jobs, to Africa, he would refuse to allow towards cushioning the poor help fight unemployment in the us to rest on the laurels of against the effects of hunger country. As he often used to global praise we are receiving and poverty and believe this is say “if you want peace, you for our handling of the crisis among the highest levels of must fight for social justice.” and instead call for a rollout of expenditure for the poor and an aggressive screening, indigent. Hani was also a believer in testing and treatment active citizenship and would programme at no cost to the We must maintain and improve expect South Africans to citizens. Post Covid19, he on these standards to truly remain actively engaged with would call for the preservation honour the legacy of fallen the government between of jobs and livelihoods by heroes like Hani, Thomas elections and hold all public strengthening and reviving Nkobi, Bertha Gxowa and representatives, from economies. Margaret Gazo among many councillors to members of others. parliament and the executive, We need his wisdom now more accountable. He would also than when he was brutally The Chris Hani Museum is a expect us to play our part taken away from us. His spirit critical component of whenever called upon, such as lives on. Ekurhuleni’s struggle route, now when we are expected to

3. A struggle icon’s life in words and pictures.

The Chris Hani Museum

The life and times of SACP 24th March in 2017 before struggle and the negotiated stalwart and liberation struggle being unveiled by former transition for a free and icon Chris Hani are fittingly paid president on April democratic South Africa.” The tribute to in the Chris Hani 10 2017. citation from SAHRA reads. It Museum and the Chris Hani tells of his role as leader of monument and Walk of Thomas Nkobi is a former the Luthuli Detachment in the Remembrance respectively Treasurer General of the ANC Wankie Campaign and was located at his home and his who played a key part in the instrumental in the drafting of grave in Dawn Park, a suburb of liberation struggle after joining the “Hani Memorandum” in Ekurhuleni. the ANC in 1950. At the time which ultimately led to the The Chris Hani monument in of his death in 1994 at the age Morogoro Conference in 1969 South Park cemetery now of 72, he was an ANC Member which brought about strategic known as the Thomas Nkobi of Parliament. changes within the ANC. Memorial Garden was unveiled at the 2015 anniversary of his “Chris Hani, was a well SAHRA further notes Hani as a death while the South African respected and revered leader strong proponent of the Heritage Resource Agency of (MK), peaceful negotiations after (SAHRA) declared his grave and the South African Communist the unbanning of liberation the Chris Hani Memorial and Party and senior ranking ANC movements and played a Walk of Remembrance as a official, who played an critical role in the MK National Heritage site on the important role in the liberation abandoning the armed

4. struggle. “His assassination The Memorial and Walk of Wattville, then through the Hani brought the country to the brink remembrance are characterised Memorial and museum and of civil war that led to Nelson by the use of simple material takes in the Khumalo Street in Mandela’s plea, in what is rich earthy tones to show nearby Thokoza, which has a regarded as a “presidential” capture the essence of the life of memorial in honour of those statement, for calm and for all simplicity that Hani exemplified. who died in intense political South Africans to stand together The Monument consists of the violence in the early 90s. in ensuring a peaceful transition. four pillars of the liberation “The tensions at the time struggle. The Walk of The museum is created from the hastened the CODESA Remembrance is a short compact home that Hani and his negotiations and an agreement meandering route that leads to family made their home in the on a date for the first a Wall of Remembrance for early 90s, when Dawn Park was democratic elections,” the fallen struggle heroes. still a predominantly white citation says of the historical neighbourhood. The house has moment. Ekurhuleni executive Mayor been restored to its original Mzwandile Masina sees the state at the time of Hani’s Finally, the agency notes that his museum and Memorial Park as a passing. Its four bedrooms and gravesite and the Chris Hani critical part of a Struggle route living area now serves as a Memorial and Walk of that can be explored by local tribute to various aspects of Remembrance commemorate and international tourists. Hani’s life and activism. his life, work and sacrifice and Masina says the route starts at contribution to a free and a the OR Tambo International “What we need in South Africa is democratic South Africa “and Airport and the OR Tambo for egos to be suppressed in favour mark a pivotal point in our Narrative Centre and goes of peace” reads part of an history in which the leadership through the home and grave of inscription at the entrance of the and commitment to peaceful another giant of the struggle, museum. “We need to create a new transition was proved.” Oliver Reginald Tambo in breed of South Africans who love

5. A hole left by one of the bullets that missed Chris Hani

their country and love was shaped through being a regime at the time. everybody, irrespective of their devout Catholic, while his sense colour” the inscription of patriarchy was shaped by his The main bedroom of the house continues. experience of his father’s tells the Hani love story centred generation being away in the on Hani’s marriage in 1974 to Inside the house on walls and mines in the Transvaal, sugar Limpo, whom he married in sandblasted windows, Hani’s plantations in Natal and farms in and with whom he has story is told through words and the Cape. three daughters: Neo, the late pictures. From his belief that “if Nomakhwezi buried alongside you want peace, you have to He obtained his education at him and Lindiwe. fight for social justice” to his Sabalele, Zingudu, Matanzima desire to see “progress towards High in Cala before enrolling in The Children’s bedrooms are the eradication of hunger” and the prestigious dedicated to their own life “the promotion of good health College in Alice, where he journeys while the main family and housing for all” his values joined youth and political room tells of Hani’s political resonate throughout the house. movements including the ANC career and leadership and Youth League, inspired by the activism and life in exile. Hani’s The first section of the museum arrest of the 1956 Treason journey into exile started when comprising the entrance,garden Trialists. The sight of African he received a jail sentence and and thatch area tells of Hani’s workers who were exploited with went into hiding, moving to early life. Born in 1942 in no union rights attracted him to Bechaunaland (Botswana) and Sabalele, Cofimvaba in the socialism. In 1959 he the Northern Rhodesia () , the museum registered in Fort Hare and was where he was briefly detained traces his timeline and attracted to Marxist ideas after then moved to Tanganyika upbringing in various ways. The being exposed to the brutality (Tanzania) before being fifth of six children, his early life and racism of the dispatched to receive military training.

6.

Gym equipment previously used by Chris Hani

In sections of the museum, he Chris Hani Tombstone takes up his life story in his own words in a February 1991 narrative. “In 1961 I joined the underground South African Communist Party as I realised that national liberation, although essential, would not bring about economic liberation” Hani says, noting that the decision was influenced by the likes of , Braam Fischer, JB Marks, Moses Kotane and present crisis of apartheid.” He and agreeing to negotiate. He Ray Simons. wrote at the time. ends off the narrative by noting In 1967, Hani fought alongside that the decision to suspend This was followed in 1962 by the Zipra forces in Zimbabwe the armed struggle was the his decision to join the then as a political commissar before correct one and an important fledgling uMkhonto we Sizwe returning to South Africa in contribution to sustaining the (MK) because of what he 1974 and then to exile in momentum of negotiations. describes as the “intransigence to set up underground of the racist regime” This saw structures in South Africa. Hani The SACP, which is arguably three unsuccessful assassination maintained that the four pillars the most embedded in Hani’s attempts on him. “The armed of the liberation struggle identity and to whose central struggle, which we never brought apartheid to its knees committee Hani was elected in regarded as exclusive as we with the regime reluctantly 1970, is paid tribute through a combined it with other forms of recognising the legitimacy of “red room” in the patio, struggle, has brought about the banned political organisations espousing Hani’s values and

7. Chris Hani

Ekurhuleni was already spending the party’s beliefs. Its slogan, When completed, the museum R4 billion on cushioning its “for the workers and the poor” will also serve as a tribute to poorest residents against was a guiding Matra in Hani’s Hani’s legacy. Masina believes hunger and poverty. The life and comes to mind as one that the best way that the city heightened response to meanders through the rooms as can pay tribute to Hani is to Covid19 has seen the City beef it is also etched at the walk of realise its goals of providing up its food parcel distribution remembrance. Housing, Health and fighting network. Hunger among its citizens. The

The Lounge is dedicated to executive mayor says the city’s In 1998, the SACP awarded the Hani’s later political life progress on these goals is being late former President Nelson including the negotiations to tested by the Covid 19 outbreak Mandela the Chris Hani award. transition to democracy at the which has led to a nationwide Ten years after his passing, in Congress for Democratic South shutdown since late March. 2003 the Chris Hani Institute was Africa (Codesa) while the kitchen launched in Braamfontein, pays tribute to gender based Masina notes the city’s clinics Johannesburg. roles in running the household. are graded as ideal and some

The garage and driveway are testing sites for Covid19 and In 2006, the City bestowed its leading to the exit are dedicated are ready to serve as sites of highest honour on the stalwart to the final horrific moments of launching the National Health when it gave him the Freedom Hani’s assasination. Reminders Insurance (NHI). of the City. “Chris Hani is the of the tragic shooting on the freeman of the City of morning of 10 April 1993 are Masina’s administration has Ekurhuleni, conferred upon him etched on his driveway through launched a number of mega for his outstanding political life bullet holes on his garage door projects to provide housing in and contributions towards the and a wooden panel that was pursuit of its goal to provide 100 freedom enjoyed by South ripped when he was shot at 000 housing units over its term Africans today,” the City close range. of office. Even before Covid19, declared. 8. why he was happy to participate in structures that led to its preservation. The Struggle route is located within the broader tourism offering within Ekurhuleni, home of the busiest airport in Africa. The development of the struggle routes and the Khumalo Street tourism hub will also include the museum for the Congress for Democratic South Africa (Codesa), the negotiations that took place in two parts in Kempton Park in which the likes of Hani played a key role. Entertainment in the area is anchored on two major casinos, Emperors Palace and Carnival City in Brakpan then complemented by shopping at Former South African Communist major shopping centres and Party leader Chris Hani outdoor on the region’s lakes and Wetlands. All this with easy access to Pretoria and “The HHH (Health, Hunger and Sozi Singwane, a neighbour Johannesburg.Chris Hani Tombstone Housing) - campaign is part of residing a stone throw away the legacy that Chris Hani left from the museum, says he is People with an interest in for us to carry forward. It is our looking forward to seeing it history and architecture can responsibility to break down take off and streaming with visit Iron Age settlements the barriers of social injustice visitors. “it is an important part which predate the discovery of and advance the heroes’ vision of history and I look forward to gold in 1886 on a section of of minimizing unemployment, informing people about this the reef now known as eradicating poverty, providing development, which will also Johannesburg. Ekurhuleni has shelter to everyone and change the perception that the second highest promoting an environment everything happens in , concentration of Art Décor characterised by healthy society “he says. Having moved into buildings in the world after that is at peace with itself” the the years after the tragic events Florida in the United States. city stated in its declaration. of April 1993 and in his 30s The buildings are found in in 2012, Hani was awarded relatively to fully comprehend areas such as around the Gold Medal for Bravery for his the scale and context of those Springs Station. central role in the Wankie events, he feels the museum campaign by the department of will be an important tool of In 2016, the City adopted a Military Veterans. The teaching history to younger Tourism strategy that aims to department also awarded generations. Singwane hopes position the region as a Platinum Medal Class II for his the museum can also directly preferred tourism destination, leadership role in the ANC and benefit his taxi hailing business, taking advantage of the MK in exile and extreme where he is a driver. proximity to OR Tambo airport. devotion to duty. Africa’s The City plans to invest over R largest hospital, the Chris Hani A local activist in the 500 million to develop tourism Baragwanath hospital in neighbourhood describes the in the Ekurhuleni region in the Soweto, bears the stalwart’s house as “symbolic” and thus coming few years. name. important to preserve, which is

9. The Chris Hani Museum & Wall of Remembrance Gallery

10. 11. Chris Hani Tombstone

12. Chris Hani – a daughter keeps the legacy alive

Lindiwe Hani

Lindiwe Hani still cannot bring commemorating Hani’s company of her father when he herself to look at the historic assassination without was killed, passed away in 2001. photograph of her father’s prominently carrying the bloodied body lying in the photograph. While the grisly moment frozen driveway of their home after in time brought positive change being struck by an assassin’s It has come to symbolise Hani as to the political landscape in bullets on 10 April 1993. a political martyr whose killing South Africa, to Lindiwe, who fast tracked South Africa’s was only 12 years old then, it The gory, repulsive photograph journey to its first democratic meant the beginning of a long, has earned its place on the election on 27 April 1994. tumultuous journey of sorrow. significant timeline of history – in the same vein as the iconic But to the Hani’s last born child “That was always a very jarring photograph of a dying Hector Lindiwe, the photograph experience, very difficult to Pietersen being carried by remains a source of great pain, a move on from such brutality,” Mbuyisa Makhubu at the reminder of the agony she has Lindiwe reflects on the moment outbreak of the 16 June 1976 been trying to run away from for that brought SA to the brink of a riots. the better part of the past two bloody, racial civil war. and a half decades. In the past 27 years since his She was visiting her mom’s death at the hands of right- Lindiwe is the third of Chris and family in Maseru when Hani was winger Janus Waluz, it has Limpho Hani’s three daughters, shot during the Easter weekend become almost impossible to Nomakhwezi and Neo. of 1993. come across a publication Nomakhwezi, who was in the

13. Chris Hani

Twenty seven long years have bullet found its mark. Lindiwe “I think that if Ekurhuleni does passed since the image was sank into a state of deep it properly with dignity and shot. Yet for Lindiwe, time has depression which saw her later sensitivity, he was a huge part not eroded the pain. slip into drug and alcohol of our history and our Struggle addiction. She has been clean and I appreciate him being It still evokes shock and for the past five years and now commemorated that way,” she disbelief that the doting father confronting her life as the says.

she loved and respected daughter of the SA Communist dearly, is the one lying in a pool Party and uMkhonto we Sizwe Lindiwe wishes that one of the of blood, helpless and silent. stalwart. things the museum would achieve is to offer young “No, I don’t manage to look at News that the Ekurhuleni people an opportunity to learn

the image. If I see it I just Metro will be honouring Hani’s about her father’s best glance past it. It is a reminder legacy this year by among attributes which included of one of the worst day of my others turning his Dawn Park giving to the needy, speaking life. It’s effectively the day our home into a museum, has out against injustice and reassured Lindiwe her father’s family was destroyed,” Lindiwe contributing to the building of “ says in a telephonic interview. legacy will not evaporate into society. memory. It will also help her In her book Being Chris Hani’s and probably her family, move Daughter, Lindiwe offers towards some form of closure. insights into her close relationship with her father, how they swam together in I think that if Ekurhuleni does it properly with their Dawn Park home and also dignity and sensitivity, he was a huge part of how she used to cycle behind him as he jogged around the our history and our Struggle and I appreciate neighbourhood. him being commemorated that way

All that ended when Waluz’s “ 14.

“Before he was assassinated it She believes Hani was an

[our house] was a home of joy, ordinary man doing bustling and full of people in extraordinary things and and out. If we can curate it in should be remembered that He was put in a that manner it would be great,” way.

Lindiwe says. “ “He was put in a situation situation Lindiwe believes that although where he had no choice but to the killing of her father was a fight for his country,” she says, where he had tragic moment in our history, adding that at home Hani more should be done to learn could be strict. no choice but from and commemorate his “ legacy than focusing solely on “He didn’t understand giving the spilling of his blood. up,” Lindiwe says of her to fight for his father’s resilience. It is a journey she too country, embarked on a few years ago Hani had such an impact on since she emerged from a Lindiwe that after his death she period of ridding herself from lived with the constant fear of the substance addiction behind failing to live up to his high which she was trying to avoid expectations. She felt a heavy confronting her pain. load carrying the name of this

15. days where I feel like I’m letting my father down,” she says.

Months before Hani was murdered, Lindiwe was troubled by nightmares in which a killer was on the lookout for him. Now that he is no more in the physical Lindiwe still has a strong spiritual connection to Hani who vividly visits her in her dreams.

“I sensed him very strongly during lockdown. We are very much connected spiritually with my father.”

Hani’s killer Waluz was denied parole in March by Minister of Justice . Lindiwe has met the man who pulled the trigger that fateful morning in April 1993 several times. She prefers to keep her views on whether the convicted murderer should be granted parole to herself. Chris Hani’s widow Limpho Hani But adds: “I have different feelings about it, my biggest emotion is that it would will not bring back my father, whether man, who was to millions of the blood of one of the he is in jail or free it doesn’t oppressed black South Africans country’s greatest affect my life [and] I have made a source of hope and a shining revolutionaries courses through a conscious decision not to example of good, ethical her own veins. focus on that.” leadership. “Now I do think that I am Lindiwe has kept one of her “Disappointing my father was going in the right direction. I father’s favourite items of my greatest fear,” says Lindiwe. am living; I am helping to make clothing, a woollen jersey he myself proud of who I am wears in a lengthy TV interview The fear and weight of carrying instead of hiding from it. Now with Afravision shortly before the Hani name saw her slide it’s [being Hani’s daughter] a his death. She has donated his into the dark world of drug and sense of pride [and] joy, it’s not favourite treadmill and bike to alcohol addiction, a subject she something that gives me heart the museum in Dawn Park. tackles with open honesty in palpitations anymore,” says The museum will no doubt her memoir Being Chris Hani’s Lindiwe. ensure that even in death, daughter. Hani’s voice remains influential “Once I managed to separate and powerful just as it was in Lindiwe has worked hard to kick Lindiwe from addiction it life. her addiction is now working became clear who I was. I still the marketing field and has have those moments of come to terms with the fact that insecurity but I no longer have

16. Hani’s ‘revolutionary restlessness’ needed to drive struggle values - Sexwale

ANC stalwart and former Premier Tokyo Sexwale outside Chris Hani's house soon after the former liberation fighter was gunned down in 1993.

Monuments come and go. And monuments,” said Sexwale, who But within three years Hani, even when they are erected was among the first senior ANC aged 50, was killed by assassin sometimes bad things that go leaders to arrive at the scene of Januz Waluzs. Images of a against the values of the people Hani’s slaying on 10 April 1993. tearful Sexwale weeping over in whose honour they are the bloodied body of his erected happen right under Sexwale, who spent 13 years on comrade moved a nation and their silent, towering gaze. after he was evoked anger among the men It is the values of the convicted for his role in the and women who served with distinguished men and women underground activities of the and under Hani in the ranks of in whose honour the statues and then banned ANC and the ANC and its military wing. monuments are erected that live Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1977 – on to touch, move and inspire knew of Hani’s role as a fearless Sexwale said the values that generations long after they have and honest cadre even back defined Hani and that should be passed on. then. guiding the ANC today were his revolutionary honesty, analysing ANC stalwart Tokyo Sexwale But it was only after his release problems and not rushing to thanks and commends the City from prison in 1990 after the find quick solutions. of Ekurhuleni for keeping Hani’s signing of the Groote Schuur name alive. But the greatest Minute agreement between the He said presently the country honour befitting the late ANC and the ruling National misses the ‘revolutionary Umkhonto we Sizwe chief of Party – that he finally got to restlessness’ that drove Hani staff would be if those in meet Hani. and ensured he never rested on leadership live according to the his laurels or on his hands. values that made him one of the He was deployed to pick him up Sexwale said Hani was militant most respected leaders during from the airport on his return against wrong, hated corruption the Struggle against apartheid. home from a quarter of a and never held back to speak century in political exile. They out against wrongdoing “I don’t think Chris would be served together in the structures whenever he felt something was dying to be remembered with of the ANC and grew very close. wrong.

17.

“

18.

espoused , Sexwale said Hani,

. today legacy

leader disciplined a man,

what can be learnt from Hani’s Hani’s from learnt be can what

said about about said Sexwale leader,” It is the philosophy of the life of the the of life the of philosophy the is It

of the man, a disciplined disciplined a man, the of

“It is the philosophy of the life life the of philosophy the is “It

as life Hani’s highlighted He . interests own his beyond way

University from 1959 to 1961 to 1959 from University .

loyal cadre who saw matters matters saw who cadre loyal

he went to study at Fort Hare Hare Fort at study to went he

. said he laurels,” displays of discipline from a a from discipline of displays

born in 1942 and grew up until until up grew and 1942 in born

your hands, do not sit on your your on sit not do hands, your this was one of the greatest greatest the of one was this

Eastern Cape where he was was he where Cape Eastern

questions more. Do not sit on on sit not Do more. questions argues argues Sexwale – part his on

in in Sabalele rural in roots his by

This is the type of a leader who who leader a of type the is This

“ cowardice of act an as it saw He said Hani was shaped firstly firstly shaped was Hani said He

because we are in government. government. in are we because disappointed in the move and and move the in disappointed

housing…don’t sit back back sit housing…don’t Although some may have been been have may some Although

. beliefs his for die to ready was

there’s no sufficient sufficient no there’s

announced from the dock he he dock the from announced

don’t sit on your hands when when hands your on sit don’t movement.

trial in 1964 when he he when 1964 in trial

people don’t have health, health, have don’t people sake of unity and peace in the the in peace and unity of sake

Rivonia the during call clarion

“Don’t sit on your hands when when hands your on sit “Don’t withdraw from the race for the the for race the from withdraw

shaped by Nelson Mandela’s Mandela’s Nelson by shaped

popular support decided to to decided support popular

dedication to the Struggle was was Struggle the to dedication

. wrong was running. But Hani who enjoyed enjoyed who Hani But running.

Swaziland said Hani’s Hani’s said Swaziland

on his toes seeking to fix what what fix to seeking toes his on were also in the the in also were Mbeki Thabo

having lived in political exile in in exile political in lived having

manner in that he was always always was he that in manner and and Gwala Harry , Sisulu Walter

70s after after 70s - mid the in Union

restless politically, in a positive positive a in politically, restless Three other strong candidates, candidates, strong other Three

military training in the Soviet Soviet the in training military

fix solutions. He said Hani was was Hani said He solutions. fix

who underwent underwent who Sexwale

find solutions solutions find but not quick quick not but – . hour

and even going further to try try to further going even and vice president at the 11th 11th the at president vice as

. Sexwale

questioning what was wrong wrong was what questioning nomination his withdrew Hani

practitioner, a doer,” said said doer,” a practitioner,

attitude that was always always was that attitude – 1991 in years 30 after SA in

honest voice. He was a a was He voice. honest

He said his was the kind of of kind the was his said He the first ANC conference back back conference ANC first the

voice, honest voice, pure pure voice, honest voice,

the historic moment when at at when moment historic the

honesty…that revolutionary revolutionary honesty…that

Struggle . personal glory. He cited cited He glory. personal sought

that revolutionary revolutionary that

being true to the values of the the of values the to true being never he which in selflessness

“What we are missing today is is today missing are we “What

the values of honesty and and honesty of values the that of exemplary courage and and courage exemplary of that

.’ criticism - self of master ‘a

wrongdoing, Hani was himself himself was Hani wrongdoing,

1993. in murder Hani's of scene

critical and outspoken against against outspoken and critical

Bank Governor Gill Marcus at the the at Marcus Gill Governor Bank

said while he was very very was he while said Sexwale and former Reserve Reserve former and Sexwale Tokyo

. 80s and 70s the

its most courageous leaders in in leaders courageous most its

discipline and emerged as one one as emerged and discipline

continued to serve with with serve to continued

Hani instead instead Hani – ANC the

Instead of walking away from from away walking of Instead

campaigns in 1967. 1967. in campaigns Sipolilo

fated Wankie and and Wankie fated - ill the after

struggle was taking in exile exile in taking was struggle

leadership on the direction the the direction the on leadership

ANC for challenging the the challenging for ANC

after he was disciplined by the the by disciplined was he after

courage and discipline even even discipline and courage

said Hani showed showed Hani said Sexwale Hani – fearless beacon of courage and ethical leadership

The movement had been banned by apartheid SA and forced into exile nine years earlier. With Tambo as acting president in the wake of the death of Chief , and the collapse of the Wankie campaign in 1967 the ANC in exile found itself in limbo.

And when young comrades like Hani who had seen action in the Wankie campaign regrouped after serving terms of imprisonment in Botswana and Zimbabwe – they were shocked to find the organisation was inactive.

Academic Hugh Macmillan aptly captures this troubled period in the ANC’s history in his highly acclaimed book The Lusaka Years – The ANC in exile in Zambia 1963-1994.

Macmillan writes that the 3 000- word memorandum opened with the statement: “The ANC in exile is in a deep crisis [and], as a result, rot has set in. From informal discussions with the Chris Hani shook the core of the Taking a leadership role in this revolutionary members of MK, ANC in exile in 1969 when move to call the leadership to we have inferred that they have together with other comrades order perhaps best captures lost all confidence in the ANC they wrote and signed a Hani’s attributes as a leader. He leadership abroad. This they say memorandum highly critical of was fearless and didn’t worry openly and, in fact, show.” the leadership. about appearing unpopular In the memorandum that has before the leadership. He did The explosive memorandum become known as the Morogoro not fear speaking truth to went further to accuse the ANC Memorandum, Hani and other power. national executive committee of MK members who had fought in losing control of MK and the ill-fated Wankie campaign in Although at the time he was allowing commander-in-chief Southern Rhodesia [Zimbabwe], among the leading cadres in the to run it alone and “accused the leadership of the ranks of uMkhonto we Sizwe at arbitrarily. movement under the time, aged only 29 years of careerism and of becoming a old, he didn’t shy away from Macmillan quotes Leonard Pitso, middle class of globetrotting pointing out what he believed one of the signatories of the salaried bureaucrats”. was ailing the ANC at the time. memorandum: “Orders were

19. given for our arrest for alleged treachery. Dungeons were dug at Livingstone for our reception. We would probably have been thrown into these dungeons but for the intervention of a leading comrade. The acting president [Oliver Tambo] ordered the dungeons to be closed, and convened a meeting of militants to consider our case.”

This act by Hani, challenging the leadership at a time when most of the rank and file members of the movement chose to cower for fear of reprisals far away from home; is an example of his fearless stance for his beliefs. perform,” Mandela told the mentioned is what would have

100 000 mourners who packed been his role or attitude He could have chosen to the FNB Stadium in Crown towards the state of affairs remain silent and wait for the Mines. today? leadership to decide a new course of action. But he didn’t. Perhaps in these times when Would he be among the elite He directed the wrath he had the country and the ANC who have exchanged the pointed at the enemy earlier at alliance are facing a new slogans of the struggle for the the leadership of the ANC struggle against poverty, flowery language of the which by then, were not used underdevelopment, corruption boardroom? to that kind of open criticism and declining standards of Would he be an indifferent especially from young cadres. governance and accountability government leader caring only Such was the courage by the – it is to Hani’s legacy the about his welfare and forgotten young cadre. The Morogoro movement should be looking about the plight of the poor? Memorandum episode also to. What would be his role in exposed his commitment to the corruption plaguing the civil Struggle and the ANC, his Hani had the common touch service and government? courage and vision because like and never saw himself as better Perhaps the answer lies in many he could have allowed off or above the ordinary man. Hani’s own words spoken himself to be demoralised by He identified with the poor and before his murder in the early the state of affairs. their struggle. Mandela 90s.

identified this humility and ““The perks of a new At his funeral in April 1993, level headedness in Hani’s rural government are not really ANC president Nelson Mandela roots. appealing to me. Everybody aptly captured Hani’s “Chris Hani’s passion for would like to have a good job, commitment to the Struggle justice, for addressing the a good salary….but for me that and personality. problems that plague the rural is not the all of struggle. What “We worked together in the poor, were rooted in his is important is the continuation National Executive Committee childhood in Sabalele. His of the struggle…the real of the ANC. We had vigorous roots were so deep, so true, problems of the country, are debates and an intense that he never lost them.” not [going to be resolved] exchange of ideas. You were The question that always gets whether one is in Cabinet.” completely unafraid. No task asked when Hani’s name is was too small for you to

20. Being Chris Hani’s daughter

dream house, I began to feel the first stirrings of excitement.

As Daddy parked the car in the driveway, I found myself dashing out, through the front rooms and arches, into the back yard, stopping at the edge of the huge blue swimming pool, and taking the wonder of it all in. Not only did our new house have a pool and the best kitchen on the planet, it finally dawned on me that for the first time in my life I would have my very own bedroom.

I also made my first friend in the neighbourhood, a vivacious blonde Afrikaans-speaking girl, Sonya, who lived next door. From the moment we laid eyes on each other, we were inseparable and spent most days running in and out of each other’s houses. At this time, about to turn 10 years old, I was still entirely oblivious to racism. I had grown up in the multicultural mixing pot of Maseru and even during those first few months in South Africa I was unaware of any racial undercurrents. The irony that my first real friend in South Africa was a white Afrikaner girl from Boksburg totally escaped me.

With Daddy at home, we were now a ‘real’ family. Initially, In this extract from the book like thunder as I watched however, it was quite an Being Chris Hani’s Daughter forlornly, from the back of adjustment because we had all author Lindiwe Hani offers Mama’s car, my familiar kind of got used to having a dad glimpses of the father figure childhood streets fade into the we only saw a couple of times a behind the image of the distance behind us. year. As thrilled as I was to have colossal political leader. him home, I now faced many …after the four –hour journey, challenges accepting my dad as We drove out of my beloved once we entered Dawn Park, Maseru as a family in early the new head of the family. I had drove down Hakea Crescent, lived many years with just having December 1990. My heart felt and got closer to our face-brick 21. Mama as the be-all-and-end-all, so I found myself challenging him on a number of issues.

One of the areas of contention was my bedtime: I was used to going to bed after watching TV shows such as Dynasty or Dallas, which I simply adored, but he wanted to set my bedtime at 8pm! I vehemently resisted, shouting that “Mama always lets me go to bed later”. We finally struck a compromise in which some days I went to Lindiwe Hani bed earlier, while on others I enjoyed some leniency. Very soon the TV remote also he often swam at dawn as well. It seemed like I was forever became a battleground. My We soon bought him a being summoned to make dad immediately laid claim to it stationary exercise bike and a coffee or bring drinks out for but all he ever seemed to want treadmill so even in bad Uncle So-and-so. My main to watch was the news or weather the man wouldn’t be gripe with so many people in serious documentaries. He was deprived of his endorphin and the house was that I was often a news man to the bone, and adrenalin fix. not allowed to watch TV, even slept with the radio on. because the noise from the Numerous times I’d get out of When he jogged out on the television would drown out the bed in the middle of the night suburban streets, I would be conversation. to go to the toilet and hear, right behind him on my bike, “This is the BBC” coming from keeping up with him as much The one show Daddy insisted my parents’ bedroom. That as my wheels would allow. The on not missing, besides the particular conflict was finally one thing Daddy was totally news, was Going Up with Joe resolved by getting another hopeless at was handyman Mafela. I loved watching it with television set, which was placed stuff. him, giggling as my dad roared in their bedroom. The man who could put an AK- with laughter. If he wasn’t there 47 together in under two to watch it, we would have to Besides the few battles over minutes had no idea how to tape it on our big VHS video bedtime and the television wire a plug or change a light machine. remote, I adored having Daddy bulb. permanently back in our lives. I My father constantly attracted The other TV show Daddy was especially drawn to his people to him. Our new home never missed was his favourite passion for exercise. I loved always seemed full of visitors news show, Agenda – unless, nothing more than swimming and activity. There was hardly a of course, he was being with him in our beautiful blue time that you didn’t walk in to interviewed for the show by pool. find comrades either in the Freek Robinson. I would sit lounge or outside around the glued to the screen, watching He taught me how to dive and pool, engrossed in robust every second, literally shaking how to master all the different discussions. Mama would with pride for my father, strokes –backstroke, breast invariably be in her dream knowing that the whole country stroke, butterfly, crawl. I mainly kitchen preparing food for the was watching him talk about joined him in the pool in the men. politics like an expert. early summer evenings, though

22. Lindiwe Hani

After the show I would wait up for him, as he made his way home from the SABC. The moment I heard the door open, I’d be sitting at the dinner table, knowing that he didn’t like eating by himself. While he was chewing on a meal that my mother had lovingly prepared for him – shepherd’s pie, roast chicken or lamb chops – I would take out my carefully prepared notes and go through what he had mispronounced in all my 11-year-old wisdom. “Daddy, it’s Vic-tree, not Vic-tawry.”

He would sit there all serious, nodding at my crit, listening to every word and pretending to take it all on board. The one thing the whole Hani family had in common was a love for meat. So when Daddy was diagnosed with gout not long after we moved to Dawn Park, he really suffered on the strict no red- meat diet of fish and chicken that Mama now insisted on. But that didn’t mean a thing when it came to lamb chops, his favourite meal. - Being Chris Hani’s Daughter by Lindiwe Hani and Melinda Ferguson was published in 2016. Copyright - Melinda Ferguson Books, an imprint of NB Publishers. During Lockdown the book is available as an e-book on Amazon.com

23. How Fort Hare shaped Hani’s ideals

“For young black South Africans course as a cross-disciplinary like myself, it was Oxford and initiative that conducts research, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale, develops postgraduate curricula all rolled into one,” Mandela and shapes debates about wrote glowingly of Fort Hare in leadership ethics in post- his celebrated memoir Long apartheid South Africa and its Walk to Freedom. wider theoretical and global significance. Hani recalled his time at the institution as the place where he “CLEA sees itself contributing to became openly involved in the the crafting of a new generation Struggle. He said this because of enlightened leaders within a Fort Hare was a liberal campus. space of lively and imaginative intellectual engagement.” “It was here that I got exposed Chris Hani identified Fort Hare to Marxist ideas and the scope It is perhaps befitting that the University where he was a and nature of the racist capitalist CLEA is housed in the aptly student between 1959 and 1961 system. My conversion to named Chris Hani Building in as a place where he was Marxism also deepened my non- East London. exposed to ideals that racial perspective.” deepened his non-racial Writing in a tribute to the perspective. He said his early Catholicism led institution on its centenary in 2016, former student and now This is one of the ideals that to a fascination with Latin renowned businessman shaped his vigour as a fearless studies and English literature Luthando Bara said: “The fighter against racial oppression which he took up at Fort Hare. institution’s alumni acts as a and injustice. powerful magnet for present “These studies in these two and past pupils to merge, to It was not surprising that Fort courses were gobbled up by me share experiences and insights, Hare University played such an and I became an ardent lover of and to contribute to solving the influential role on the man from English, Latin and Greek many challenges that exist in Sabalele because it was no literature, both modern and today’s turbulent world.” ordinary institution. classical. My studies of literature

further strengthened my hatred Although he eventually Long before his time there, the of all forms of oppression, graduated from Rhodes institution produced notable persecution and obscurantism. University – Hani’s name will alumni – among them seven The action of tyrants as continue to rank among the men who went on to become portrayed in various literary most notable of those who were state presidents in Africa, works also made me hate honed in the institution’s lecture emerging from the dark days of tyranny and institutionalised halls. colonial occupation. oppression.”

The roll of honour includes SA’s In line with its reputation for first democratically elected producing great leaders president Nelson Mandela, throughout its 104 year history, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Fort Hare runs The Centre for Tanzania, Yusuf Lule of Uganda, Leadership Ethics in Africa Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, (CLEA). Ntsu Mokhehle of Lesotho and Botswana’s Sir Seretse Khama. The university describes the

24. Hani identified corruption as the new enemy

enemy and a new struggle that enemy, he said, was socio- economic. The fight would be about the struggle for jobs, houses and schools, so that we could build a society that cares,” says Prof Webster.

He says Hani called for a culture of public service where nurses are guided by ethic of care, From left ; former SACP General Secretary Chris Hani, teachers by ethic of learning, former Cosatu leader Jay Naidoo, former UDF Leader Alan police by an ethic of community Boesak and former ANC Secretary General Cyril Ramaphosa safety and local government by an ethic of public service. Shortly before his tragic killing saw the formation of the Chris Chris Hani made a powerful Hani Institute, an educational “The new enemy, he said, was statement that continues to be and research hub aimed at corruption. And we in the SACP the subject of animated debate rekindling the spirit of Hani. have been discussing how we long after his death. should cut down on salaries of ministers and that of “What I fear is that the liberators The institute is underpinned on parliamentarians so that if you emerge as elitists who drive promoting socialist values and are in parliament in Cape Town, around in Mercedes Benz's and principles practised by Hani and you actually rent a flat like use the resources of this country others in their struggle and everybody else,” adds Prof to live in palaces and gather pursuit to serve and emancipate Webster. riches,” Hani said in an interview the poor working class in in 1993. Southern Africa. This year marks Prof Webster says it was 27-years since the tragic killing important that research and The charismatic leader and of Hani. think tanks institutions such as former secretary general of the the Chris Hani Institute remain South African Communist Party Professor Edward Webster who active as a vehicle of public enjoyed popularity among the served at the Chris Hani Institute engagement and discourse, downtrodden for his fierce and from 2012 to 2015 says in a saying the institute should non-partisan approach to context where so many of the ensure that Hani’s legacy and worker’s rights particularly political leaders have ideals lived on for many advocating for socialist driven succumbed to personal decades to come. policies. enrichment, Hani stands out in

contemporary South Africa as a “While a director, my aim was to Hani was ambushed, shot and beacon of selfless struggle for make the institute a leading mercilessly killed on the the working poor and the think tank for the broad left and driveway of his Boksburg home marginalised. a place where the memory of on 10 April 1993 in what is Hani could be kept alive. We widely believed to have been a “Eight days before comrade focused on three main activities: well orchestrated assassination. Chris was assassinated, he was public engagement, public The motive for his brutal slaying interviewed by social historian debates, roundtables and is still shrouded in mystery. Luli Callinicos. In this interview workshops on key socio- In 2003, a joint collaboration on the eve of the 1994 economic issues in South Africa between COSATU and the democratic elections, he said such as the work and life of Chris South African Communist Party that South Africa faced a new

25. Former President Nelson Mandela & former SACP Leader Chris Hani

Hani. This includes the land question, economy and the National Development Plan,” says Prof Webster.

Other programmes at the institute include worker education and strategic and applied research projects and publications. Chris Hani was the second most popular political figure after former President Nelson Mandela. He was touted as the next president of South Africa after Mandela. Despite his political involvement, he was able to complete a BA Degree in English and Latin studies from Fort Hare University in 1961 and subsequently furthered his studies at .

26. The Chris Hani Monument

© 2020 City of Ekurhuleni All rights reserved Published by: Communications and Brand Management Department Private Bag X1069, Germiston, 1400, South Africa

Find us on: www.ekurhuleni.gov.za Twitter: @CoE_Ekurhuleni Twitter: @CoE_Call_Centre www.facebook.com/CityOfEkurhuleni Ekurhuleni Call Centre: 0860 54 3000 Helpline: 011 458 091110177

Produced by Inside Education and departments of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Communications and Brand Management of the City of Ekurhuleni.