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Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Mamelodi: Solomon Mahlangu's Home Declared a National Heritage Site

Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu’s hanging at the now renamed Kgoshi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria was a significant turning point in the history of the South African Liberation Struggle.

On Wednesday the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) commemorated Mahlangu's courage, resilience, bravery and dedication to the cause of the struggle for freedom as some of the values needed by the youth to secure a bright future for themselves and the country.

Mahlangu's home has been declared a national heritage site.


The development(s) were announced in Mamelodi West by the CEO of the National Heritage Council (NHC), Advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa, during the launch of plans for the commemoration of 40 years since Mahlangu’s death. Mahlangu, a former ANC military wing combatant, was executed in 1979.

Mahlangu's Heritage Presented to the World


 "If we are to adopt the values of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, it means that we should know who he was through the preservation and of his legacy.

"Our liberation heritage reminds us how African nations worked together and supported each other through a difficult period. Similarly, with today’s youth that is expected to work together. The words of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu before he was executed become very relevant today: ‘My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight,'" said Mancotywa.

Mahlangu's legacy is presented to the world in a form of heritage marked by where he lived – his home in Mamelodi and other places where he left his footprints.

The NHC publicly announced that Mahlangu's home has been graded category 1 in accordance with the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999.

This process has been successfully completed by their sister entity of the Department of arts and Culture – the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA). This means that the property was inspected and is intended to be declared as a National Heritage Site. It is now a protected space of heritage significance. From this point onwards, consultation processes will follow.

"We must use the liberation heritage to encourage understanding, nation building, economic development and inclusive citizenship. Resistance and Liberation Heritage reminds future generations not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to strive for a better Africa and a better world.

"While there were good efforts, we have come to realise that the essence of who he was is not adequately captured and documented for preservation and public consumption. It is also the case with other struggle veterans whose contribution or involvement is not documented. Recently, interest among the struggle heroes and heroines is rising. The intervention of the NHC is through making funds accessible to the public for historical research and publication," said Mancotywa.

The National Heritage Council of South Africa also said that as part of its knowledge production strategic imperative will embark on a research of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu’s life and journey. They need to establish facts and dispel distortions. This will go a long way in guiding heritage practitioners on how his life should be curated in spaces of memory.

In ending the event of the day, Mancotywa said to them going forward, the research around Kalushi need to be augmented and authenticated after the commemoration. For example, the information about what happened at the gallows, the cell that he operated in, the Landmarks that traces are life footprints. This will be an ongoing programme post the commemoration.

Tweet us @GoXtraNews or simply send an email to our Editor Buchule Raba editor@goxtranews.com for any coverage related issues or event invites. You can also Tweet @BuchuleB

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