Hani, Chris
1942–1993, anti-apartheid activist, politician, and soldier. A
legendary figure in South African history and a key participant in the
country's struggle for freedom in the 20th century, Hani graduated in 1962
from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, with a degree in Latin and English.
His political experience began in 1957 when he became a member of the
African National Congress' Youth League (ANCYL). He eventually joined the
underground South African Communist Party in 1961 and uMkhonto we Sizwe, the
armed paramilitary wing of the African National Congress(ANC), in
1962. He went on to become a leader within the ANC, a General Secretary of
the South African Communist Party, and a Deputy Commander of uMkhonto we
Sizwe. Hani was known for his revolutionary beliefs, charisma, and interst
in literature.
On April 10, 1993, Hani was assassination by a Janusz Waluś, a far-right
Polish extremist. Hani's death had a substantial impact on the transition
from apartheidin South
Africa. The assassination prompted Nelson Mandelato address the nation four
days later: "The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shock waves
throughout the country and the world... Now is the time for all South
Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to
destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for: the freedom of all of us." Hani's
life and death were pivotal to creating a democratic government in South
Africa.
See J. Cherry, Spear of the Nation: Umkhonto weSizwe (2012); N.
Mandela, In His Own Words (2018); S. R. Davis, The
ANC's War Against Apartheid (2018); D. L. Douek,
Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in South Africa
(2020); H. Macmillan, Chris Hani (2021).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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