S. African Anti-apartheid Icon Mlangeni Laid To Rest
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published July 29, 2020 | 10:50 PM
Soweto, South Africa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jul, 2020 ) :Andrew Mlangeni, the last surviving defendant in the trial of Nelson Mandela and others who faced death for plotting to overthrow South Africa's apartheid regime with guerrilla warfare, was buried on Wednesday.
Flags flew at half mast as Mlangeni, who died last week aged 95, was laid to rest in a state funeral.
"We have lost not only a great patriot, but a strident moral voice," President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his eulogy before mourners who included ministers and elite members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
"While history will place Andrew Mlangeni in the pantheon of the great leaders of our nation, he will be remembered by his people as a person of humility, humanity and dignity." The mourners wore face masks and observed social distancing rules in line with coronavirus precautions.
Like Mandela, the country's first black president, Mlangeni spent more than quarter of a century imprisoned on Cape Town's notorious Robben Island before his release in 1989.
After the first democratic elections in 1994, he became an ANC lawmaker until he retired in 2014.
Mlangeni later became a fierce critic of the factionalism that gripped the ANC and rampant state corruption under president Jacob Zuma, who was in power from 2009 t0 2018.
Thabo Mbeki, Mandela's successor, told mourners in a virtual address that Mlangeni was "concerned" about and spoke out against wrongs within the movement.
"We need to commit ourselves to the renewal of the ANC he built, the ANC he was concerned about," Mbeki said.
Born in the central Free State province in 1925, Mlangeni joined the youth wing of the ANC in the early 1950s.
He was among the first group of liberation fighters to be sent outside of South Africa for military training in the early 1960s.
On his return home two years later, he was arrested.
The eight-month Rivonia Trial, named after the Johannesburg suburb where the ANC leaders were arrested, brought the anti-apartheid struggle to world attention.
Expecting to be sentenced to death, Mandela declared in an impassioned three-hour speech from the dock that freedom was "an ideal for which I am prepared to die".
Instead the group was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Mlangeni served 26 years behind bars alongside fellow anti-apartheid activists including Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada and Dennis Goldberg, who died three months ago.
Mlangeni lived his entire life in Johannesburg's Soweto township, the crucible of the anti-apartheid struggle.
He was laid to rest at the Roodepoort Cemetery, west of Johannesburg.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Azam Khan likely to miss T20I series against Kiwis due to discomfort in right kn ..
Badar Shahbaz Warraich appointed as PM’s media coordinator
Finance Minister rules out rupee devaluation in talks with IMF
National team determined for good performance against New Zealand: Babar Azam
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 18 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 18 April 2024
Saka and Odegaard start for Arsenal, Guerreiro in Bayern midfield
Qatar PM says re-evaluating Israel-Hamas mediation role
Govt spokesperson terms allegations of PTI's Marwat against Saudi Arabia 'heinou ..
Minister appreciate UAE’s support for Pakistan economic challenges
Manchester City v Real Madrid Champions League starting line-ups
MIGA's support Pakistan in attracting foreign investments: Federal Minister for ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
3 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
4 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
4 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
7 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
9 days ago -
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
11 days ago
-
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
11 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
11 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
11 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
13 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
13 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre honoring Pir Hassam din Rashdi to take place on April 1
18 days ago