Johannesburg – The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday said it was remembering "a heroic son of our people" Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, who was executed by the apartheid regime 38 years ago, but it also lashed out at Tshwane City for holding its state on the city address on the same day.
"On the morning of 06 April 1979, Mahlangu, a heroic son of our people and dedicated member of the African National Congress was executed by the white minority racist regime," said the ANC caucus in Tshwane in a statement.
"Comrade Mahlangu, a young hero of the South African revolutionary struggle, a survivor of the Soweto and other massacres perpetrated throughout the country by the fascist regime in 1976, a dedicated opponent of racism, Apartheid and colonial domination, was hanged in Pretoria at 6 a.m. on Friday, April 6th, 1979."
The young activist was on 23 years old when he was hanged.
"Mahlangu's only crime was his deep love for his people, his commitment and dedication to the noble ideal of freedom, human dignity and happiness of the people."
Solomon Mahlangu was 23 years old when he was executed by the apartheid regime.
The ANC was also highly critical of Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – who jointly run Tshwane City, suggesting that their decision to hold the state of the city address to coincide with the anniversary of the death of Mahlangu was in bad taste.
"The DA-EFF racist regime has decided to hold the state of the city address on this day," lamented the ANC, which said it would not be deterred from honouring Mahlangu, who made the supreme sacrifice that demonstrated the most noble qualities of a true patriot.
"This reflects the fighting spirit of our people. The ANC salutes Solomon Mahlangu hero of our struggle. We salute the courage of the late cde Martha Mahlangu and family. Amanda! Matla! Power to the People," the ANC said in a statement issued by Lesego Makhubela, Tshwane caucus spokesperson.
The ANC said it will the family in honoring and remembering "the life of this young, radical and freedom loving martyr".