Freedom fighter Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu’s home in Mamelodi East of Pretoria, will soon be a National Heritage Site.
The Heritage Council of South Africa granted the struggle icon’s home a Category 1 heritage status. This is as part of commemorating the 40th anniversary of Mahlangu’s death after being hanged by the apartheid government.
Forty years since he died at the hands of white-supremacist apartheid government, the memory of Solomon Mahlangu lives on.
The house he left four decades ago before going into exile will soon immortalise his legacy.
Once the Heritage site is complete, tourists will have first-hand experience of his life.
Mancotywa begins his address by saying @NHCSouthAfrica recognizes Mahlangu’s contribution to the struggle. He thanks the Tanzanian government for honoring Mahlangu. He also annouces that the Mahlangu household has been declared a heritage site by the council #SolomonMahlangu pic.twitter.com/JrA6wKrzIH
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) April 3, 2019
The National Youth Development Agency says this initiative will help rewrite the history behind South Africa’s liberation struggle.
Director-General of the NYDA, Sifiso Mtsweni says this is a momentous time, and that the agency is very happy.
He adds that the @NYDARSA has called for the Mahlangu household and the street he lived be declared heritage sites. He says this is an honor befitting for the role he played in the liberation of South Africa #SolomonMahlangu pic.twitter.com/xVTkBsJKSD
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) April 3, 2019
He says the @NYDARSA will on Friday unveil a group of youths who will benefit from a scholarship named after Mahlangu. Over the past five years, 500 students have benefited from the scholarship #SolomonMahlangu pic.twitter.com/bw3c4AWOWB
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) April 3, 2019
The Department of Arts and Culture says public consultations still have to take place before the Solomon Mahlangu Heritage site is completed.
The Mahlangu family says the Heritage site will affirm their son’s contributions to freedom and democracy in the country. Prince George Mahlangu says the family is elated and feels honoured.
He says when Judge Theron sentenced #SolomonMahlangu to death by hanging did not know that he surging on a movement for the liberation of South Africa. Today we have a human rights bill protecting all our rights, enshrined in our Constitution. pic.twitter.com/jW2u80yEtH
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) April 3, 2019
Mahlangu, was the member of the ANC’s military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, during the fight against oppression by the nationalist government. Affectionately known as Kalushi, he was condemned to death in 1979 at the age of 23.
On Saturday, his family and comrades will honour him by walking the 52 steps he took before he was hanged at the Gallows at what is now known as the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services in the Capital City.
