PRETORIA, July 22- The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Wednesday said it was deeply saddened by the passing of Andrew Mokete Mlangeni, the last remaining Rivonia trialist.
The SAHRC reminded all people within South Africa and the rest of the world, that the sacrifices of Mlangeni and many of his comrades should never be forgotten.
“After nearly three decades of imprisonment, due to their struggle for equality and a better life for all in South Africa, he and his comrades lived to see and serve a constitutionally democratic South Africa,” said the SAHRC.
“Mlangeni however never shied away from speaking truth to power and criticised much of the corruption, maladministration and inefficiencies by those tasked with serving the people of South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa is quoted as having called Andrew Mokete Mlangeni a man of integrity, a personality trait we should all emulate.”
The commission extended “deepest and sincerest condolences” to the Mlangeni family and to all South Africans.
The presidency announced on Wednesday that Mlangeni died in Pretoria at the age of 95.
It had earlier issued a statement of well wishes for Mlangeni, who celebrated his birthday last month, saying he had been admitted to the 1 Military Hospital in Thaba Tshwane in South Africa’s capital on July 14 with an abdominal complaint.
In its tribute, the South African Students Congress (SASCO) said Mlangeni belonged to a special generation of South African freedom fighters who were passing on, having fulfilled their mission.
“Ntate Andrew gave his life for freedom in the broadest sense of the word; freedom associated not with just political and civil rights but also freedom from abject poverty, unemployment, social deprivation, hunger, disease and the crass individualism and materialism that blights our democracy today; a freedom which must see the progressive realisation of the social, economic and human rights that are fundamental to living full, decent, productive, rich and rewarding lives,” said Sasco president Bamanye Matiwane.
“The appropriate tribute by our broad liberation movement and the progressive people of our nation must be the renewed fight against rampant corruption and factionalism that is sustained through criminal networks. The fight against corruption is simultaneous to the fight against poverty, unemployment and inequality.”
The South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Blade Nzimande also conveyed the party’s message of “sincere condolences” to the family.
“The recipient of the Lenin Peace Prize, Cde Andrew Mlangeni, passed away last night [Tuesday]. The great loss marks an end of an era, as he was the last surviving Rivonia trialist. This was a generation that was ahead of its time, placing non-racialism as one of the central values and goals of our liberation struggle at the height of colonial repression and in the hands of the racist apartheid regime,” said Nzimande.
He said Mlangeni’s generation achieved its mission of building the ANC and the alliance into a revolutionary movement that succeeded to dislodge the once seemingly indestructible apartheid regime, and laid the foundation for a democratic and egalitarian South Africa.
In its tribute, The MKMVA said: “It is in understating this, that the powerful words: “Long live the undying spirit of comrade Andrew Mlangeni!”, similar to when we continue to say: “Long live the undying spirits of Chief Albert Luthuli, Oliver Reginald Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela”, and many others, infuse us with more strength to continue with the struggle today, tomorrow and the day thereafter. In fact to continue for as long as the ideals that they have lived and died for, are not yet fully achieved”.
MKMVA MOURNS THE DEATH OF ISITWALANDWESEAPARANKOE COMRADE ANDREW MLANGENI, AND HONORS HIS SALIENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP THAT HIS GENERATION GAVE TO THE ANC
In its tribute, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation called Mlangeni a “humble, honest and selfless man”.
“He was never afraid to speak his mind on any matter. He was outspoken against government corruption, state capture and the abuse of political power by his own party, the ANC. In this he has set a worthy standard for all ANC members and South Africans at large.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
