Born 28 June 1942 in the Transkei area of Cofimvaba Died 10 April 1993
“What right do I have to hold back, to rest, to preserve my health, to have time with my family, when there are other people who are no longer alive—when they have sacrificed what is precious, namely life itself”
Hani was a fierce opponent to the Apartheid government and held the position of leader of the South African Communist (ANC) Party as well as chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC.
Following his studies at the Fort Hare University, and joining Umkhonto we Sizwe, Hani was arrested and eventually went into exile in Lesotho in 1963. He received military training in the Soviet Union and served in campaigns in the bush war in Zimbabwe. Here he earned a reputation as a brave soldier of the first black army to take the field against Apartheid. While in Lesotho, Hani organised guerrilla operations for Umkhonto we Sizwe and by 1982, his reputation made him the target of assassination attempts.
On the unbanning of the ANC in 1970, Hani returned to South Africa and took over from Joe Slovo as the head of the South African Communist Party.
Hani was assassinated by a Polish far-right immigrant in 1993 outside of his home in Boksburg, Gauteng. The assassination raised tension in the country, with many fearing that the country would erupt into violence. Mandela addressed the nation to allay any fears, and while riots did take place, it was eventually decided that democratic elections would take place in April 1994.
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