Struggle stalwart and Rivonia trialist Andrew Mlangeni turns 95
Andrew Mlangeni, an iconic struggle hero and the last remaining Rivonia trialist, turns 95 on Saturday 6 June.
Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, as well as the Kathrada Foundation, are just some of those who have wished Mlangeni. Andrew Mokete Mlangeni was born on 6 June 1925 at Prospect township in Soweto.
According to SA History Online, Mlangeni is the ninth child in a family of fourteen.
ANDREW MLANGENI JOINS THE ANC
In 1951 he joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and later in 1954, he joined the African National Congress (ANC).
From 1958 to 1960 he was an ANC stalwart and in 1961 he was among the first to be sent for military training outside the country.
On his return in 1963, he was arrested for recruiting and training an armed force. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. Mlangeni was, however, released when negotiations between the ANC and the government began.
Before the court passed judgment on him, Mlangeni told the court that:
“Though leaders of many countries throughout the world have tried to persuade the Government to abandon its apartheid policy, and although resolutions have been passed in the United Nations against South Africa, this has met with no result. All that the Government has done is to reply to the people’s demands by putting their political leaders in gaol, and breaking up families.”
At the time of his sentence, Mlangeni was married to Johanna Junny with whom he had ten children. His wife died in 2001.
BIRTHDAY WISHES
The Kathrada Foundation — founded and named after ANC stalwart Ahmed Kathrada — wished Mlangeni.
The foundation, posting pictures of him too said:
“Today marks the 95th birthday of freedom fighter and also the last remaining Rivonia Trialist, Ntate Andrew Mlangeni. He was incarcerated on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada and several others. Mlangeni was born on 6 June 1925 in Soweto.”
Mthembu said:
“Ubaba u #AndrewMlangeni today is celebrating his 95th birthday. We wish our ANC leader, stalwart and veteran of our liberation struggle well. We owe our freedom to you and your generation babuMlangeni. The Almighty has really blessed you. Happy birthday.”
The Tambo Foundation also took to Twitter to wish the veteran.
“The Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation would like to wish Mr Andrew Mlangeni a Happy 95th Birthday! We are eternally grateful for your tireless efforts to secure the freedom of our country,” it said.
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