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6TH APRIL 2009 - 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EXECUTION OF SOLOMON MAHLANGU (1979 - 2009) On 6th April 2009, the African National Congress and the people of South Africa will mark the 30th Anniversary of the execution of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu by the apartheid regime. The commission of this crime by the apartheid regime, which ignored international pressure to commute Solomon Mahlangu's death sentence and recognize freedom fighters as prisoners of war, aroused widespread international condemnation. A member of uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the former military wing of the ANC, Solomon Mahlangu represents the thousands of youth who, in the wake of the 16th June 1976 Soweto students' uprising, left the country and swelled the ranks of the liberation movement, the ANC. The supreme price for liberation paid by Solomon Mahlangu, like many combatants of MK who laid down their lives in the service of their people, is, in the words of former president Nelson Mandela "the embodiment of the fighting spirit of our people and came to represent the highest aspiration and ideals of our struggle". "My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of Freedom. Tell my people that I love them and that they must continue the fight". These last words of Solomon Mahlangu as he faces the hangman's noose reverberated throughout the length and breath of South Africa on that fateful morning of 6th April 1979, and will forever be etched in the collective memory, not only of South Africans, but also of the international community who supported our just struggle against the apartheid regime. The memory of Solomon Mahlangu has been captured in many and varied ways, including:- i). The National Order of Mendi for Bravery - by the South African government ii) The Freedom of the City of Tshwane - by the City of Tshwane iii) The National Heritage Site - the house in Mamelodi where Solomon Mahlangu lived iv) Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (SOMAFCO) in Tanzania. In celebrating this important day in the history of the liberation struggle of the people of South Africa, the MK Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), the ANC Youth League, the City of Tshwane and the broader community of Mamelodi will host the following events:- Part I - Gala Dinner 4th April 2009 - 18h00 A gala dinner will be hosted in honour of the fallen heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle. Families of these Legends of our liberation struggle have been invited to receive medals honouring the sacrifices and contributions their sons and daughters made to a freed and democratic South Africa we enjoy today. The President of the ANC, Jacob Zuma will deliver the keynote address. Part II - Marathon 5th April 2009 - From 05h30 - 09h00 A marathon race/run in memory of the selfless contribution Solomon Mahlangu made towards a free, non-racial and non-sexist democratic South Africa, will be hosted by Athletic South Africa (ASA). Details of this marathon are available from ASA and Mr. Thele Moema on Tel: 082 805-0748 Part III - Rally 5th April 2009 - From 09h00 - 18h00 The commemoration rally, which will be addressed by a senior leader of the ANC, will be held at Moretele Park in Mamelodi. In attendance will be senior leadership of the ANC and its alliance partners, membership of uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA). Membership of the ANC from branches throughout the country and the general public will also be in attendance. Cultural activities will include the following artists:- . Malaika . Tuks . Elijah . DJ's and many more. Part IV 6th April 2009 - Solemn Proceeding The following solemn activities will be held to mark 6th April 2009 - the 30th Anniversary of the execution of Solomon Mahlangu:- i) Wreath Laying - this activity will be done at the cemetery where the remains of Solomon Mahlangu were laid to rest. In attendance will be the family of Solomon Mahlangu, mother Ms Martha Mahlangu, brother Chief Lucas Mahlangu, Mr. Jabu Mahlangu, Mr. Solomon Mahlangu, Jr. ii) Sod Turning - this activity will be held at the Solomon Mahlangu national Heritage Side (address), where Solomon Mahlangu lived. The activity will include sod turning for the extension of the house which will be completed in 45 days, and handed over to Mrs. Martha Mahlangu, the mother of Solomon Mahlangu. Part V 14th April 2009 - Solomon Mahlangu Memorial Lecture This event, which will take the form of video conferencing, will see the participation of youth and students institutions of higher learning covering the whole country. Further details on this event will be communicated later For further information, please contact the following:- Ms Ayanda Dlodlo - Secretary General of MKMVA. Cell: 082 342 3527 Issued by: MKMVA - Luthuli House. Tel: (011) 376-1103/ 8365 Umkhonto.jpg --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
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