'Patriotism & Passion Against Exploitation': SACP Chief on Chris Hani's Legacy
10:11 13.04.2023 (Updated: 15:27 13.04.2023)
© AFP 2023 STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN
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On April 10, South Africa marked the 30th anniversary of the assassination of one of the country's most prominent freedom fighters and anti-apartheid leaders - Chris Hani. For the occasion, Sputnik sat down with the South African Communist Party's (SACP) leader to discuss Hani's long-lasting influence, struggle, as well as his deeds and ideas.
Chris Hani's legacy still resonates with people's aspirations, evoking a deep feeling of patriotism and desire to oppose any kind of exploitation and oppression, said Solly Afrika Mapaila, incumbent general secretary of the SACP, in an interview with Sputnik.
According to Mapaila, Hani, as one of the key figures in South Africa's fight against apartheid, symbolizes the struggle for independence, against oppression and any form of discrimination, which is an "embodiment of the wishes of the majority of people."
"The name of Chris Hani will evoke patriotism, a passion to serve, a passion against all forms of exploitation and oppression. It evokes a passion for internationalism, a passion for self-service," he stated.
Appeal to South Africa's Youth
Talking about the personality of Chris Hani, the politician noted that he was a very "free-spirited comrade," who at the same time was rational, reasonable, and could take responsibility when it was necessary. He was a "complete patriot" and internationalist, for whom commitment to the people’s struggle was a priority.
Mapaila recalled that Hani, as the leader of the joint military wing within the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe, led the youth "in the frontline battles against the apartheid enemy."
He explained that the comrade was hated by the apartheid regime that meant he "basically was a hero of this struggle," making more and more people gravitate towards him. Moreover, he had an ability to attract the youth by simplifying the struggle for socialism and national freedom.
"He integrated easily the meaning of the struggle for national liberation and the struggle for socialism as a continuum of the same struggle, that after we have ended racism in South Africa, we create a non-racial society," the politician noted.
Mapaila further elaborated that the youth "loved him and gravitated" towards his views, referring to the idea of creating an equal, non-racial society. He noted that an equal society, where patriarchy no longer dominates social life and women don't face oppression on a daily basis, in particular, resonated with ordinary people's wishes.
The Communist Party's leader also underlined that Hani managed "to articulate these perspectives on socialism," and appeal to large masses of people by linking socialism with their basic needs and simplifying the meaning of the concrete struggle against apartheid.
"Socialism is about access to clean running water, access to education, access to free health, access to sanitation and access to the equality between the urban and the rural, and respect for the elderly and the children," Mapaila underlined.
Enduring Legacy of Continuation of Struggle for Freedom
Chris Hani, who is described as the most popular figure of the liberation movement after Nelson Mandela, Mapaila noted, was sometimes called "the Che Guevara of the continent," as he participated in the struggles of several countries across Africa, including Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania. Therefore, he highlighted, Hani had a profound impact "on common struggles of the people" all over the continent, inspiring them to fight for their national independence, to be patriotic, and take part in the unceasing battle for their rights as human beings.
Mapaila reiterated that the former Communist Party leader had always stood for "the downtrodden, poor, and neglected." He explained that his ideas are as relevant as ever, given the fact that many people on the continent still live in poor conditions, and face oppression, being "neglected by the powers."
"He had left this enduring legacy of the continuation of struggle, formation of independence, policy sovereignty, rejection of neocolonialism and imposition of ideas by imperialist forces onto respective African countries, and also here in South Africa," Mapaila underscored.
The politician noted that the biggest influence Hani had on South Africans can be seen in a continuation of his legacy and struggle, saying that he paved this "irreversible path that we are embarking on towards a socialist dispensation in the country."
Commemoration of Freedom Fighter to Make His Ideas Endure
As the incumbent leader of the SACP, Mapaila emphasized that his party has taken it upon itself "never to allow his ideas to die." He noted that every April 10, the day when Chris Hani was killed back in 1993, they organize various events across the country to honor and pay tribute to the anti-apartheid fighter.
Apart from that, he explained that the party is trying to popularize his path from "a little boy" in a rural village in the Cofimvaba area in the Eastern Cape to being the general secretary of the Communist Party and chief of staff of the Liberation Army. He said that this is a "huge achievement" that continues to be respected and celebrated all over the nation.
According to Mapaila, they want to make sure that "his memory is never forgotten," and make the people of the country remember that "it is through his blood that today South Africa can have a dispensation towards democratization."
