Thembisile “Chris” Hani might not have lived to see the promise of a democratic South Africa, but his legacy lives on 21 years after his untimely death.
Hani was killed at his Dawn Park home, on April 10, 1993, in an incident that almost threw the country into political violence and instability.
As the country observes the 20th anniversary of a democratic South Africa, all eyes will be on the metro as it hosts the 21st anniversary commemorations of the life and times of Hani at the Thomas Nkobi Memorial Park in Germiston on April 10.
Thursday’s programme will start with a wreath-laying ceremony at Hani’s gravesite, between 10am and 1pm.
The second part will be a memorial lecture, in the Boksburg Civic Centre, at 5pm.
This event has become the highlight of a month-long programme declared Chris Hani month in Ekurhuleni – a month reserved to remember Hani and what he lived for, through various programmes.
Last year’s lecture was delivered by national chairman of the ANC Baleka Mbete, and this year, the speaker is expected to be yet another veteran of the struggle for liberation and a comrade to the late Hani.
The lecture plays a pivotal role in the preservation of South African history and provides insight into the real legacy left by Hani.
The Chris Hani Oral History debates, between 9.30am and 2pm on April 12, at Dawn Park Primary School, will go a long way in ensuring that pupils from schools across Ekurhuleni understand the significance of the legacy of Hani in their time, and how they can live up to the values for which the freedom fighter shed his blood.
On April 16, the city will host the theatre production, “Amandla”, at the Springs Theatre, at 6.30pm.
Amandla provides an unsparing view of South Africa’s journey to freedom through a ccapella music, coupled with great actors and talented vocalists.
