South Africans are Remembering Anti-Apartheid Veteran Chris Hani
Today marks the 26th anniversary of his assassination.
Chris Hani will forever be remembered in the minds and hearts of South Africans for his contribution to South Africa's democracy and the liberation of Black people. His death remains a sore point for South Africans who believe that the struggle hero may have eventually become the president of the country.
After joining the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in the 1950s, Hani, who was a fervent believer in Marxist philosophy, spent most of his time involved with the underground South African Communist Party (SACP) as well as the armed wing of the ANC known as Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK).
After the unbanning of both the ANC and SACP in 1990, Hani returned from exile and began to speak in the townships. He was described as an incredibly charismatic leader who drew many towards him. After taking over from Joe Slovo as the General-Secretary of the SACP, he campaigned for the organization to be recognized as a political party.
However, all that came to an end when he was assassinated in his driveway on April 10th in 1993 by Januz Walus and Clive Derby-Lewis who were linked to anti-Communist right wing parties. The pair were arrested and sentenced to life in prison.
More recently, Januz Walus, who is still alive and sitting in jail, applied for parole on the basis of certain psychological reports. However, his application was denied by Judge Michael Masutha, much to the satisfaction of the SACP and Hani's widow.
Several political parties, the likes of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the SACP and ANC as well as the South African public in general, have been commemorating Hani's life and his invaluable contribution to South Africa.