Chris Thembisile Hani was the leader of the South African Communist Party, the chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, and a fierce opponent of the apartheid government.
He remains an integral part of South Africa’s political history, particularly the City of Ekurhuleni, where he was shot dead at his house in Dawn Park, in Boksburg, on April 10, 1993.
As such, the City of Ekurhuleni’s efforts to commemorate Hani are currently underway, with 45 of Ekurhuleni libraries running photographic exhibitions and essay and drawing competitions for primary school learners, portraying the life and times of Hani.
High school and primary school learners from across Ekurhuleni will converge at the Boksburg Civic Centre tomorrow (Saturday) to battle it out with learners from the Chris Hani Municipality, in the Eastern Cape, in debate sessions centred around Hani’s leadership traits, the efforts he made for the economic emancipation of South Africans and his contribution to fighting the scourge of racism.
On Sunday, President Jacob Zuma is expected to join the Hani family, together with the City of Ekurhuleni, to observe the momentous day of Hani’s death through a wreath-laying ceremony set to take place at the Thomas Titus Nkobi Cemetery, in Boksburg.
Hani’s gravesite was declared a National Heritage Site by Zuma in 2015.
The City of Ekurhuleni will also offically hand over a brand new clinic to the community of Villa Lisa, Boksburg, on Sunday.
To conclude the month-long celebrations, a groundbreaking one-hour long theatre production is being brewed to wow theatre-goers by showcasing Hani’s efforts in realising his ideals for hunger, housing and health.
The production will e staged at the Springs Theatre, on Sunday, April 24.
