Re-Launch of Solomon Mahlangu Square freedom Square
The City of Tshwane will re-launch the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom Square On Monday 27 July 2015 in Mamelodi.
Dr Malinga will be joined by local artist as they showcase their talents.
Background information on Solomon Mahlangu
In 1976, Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, a student, joined the spontaneous uprising by students that rapidly spread to many parts of the country. In the uprisings many were injured and killed and thousands left the country to continue with the struggle from the outside.
Determined to fight for change, he was trained as a soldier and returned a year later as a cadre of the armed wing of the African National Congress, Umkhonto we Sizwe. He and two friends were on their way to join student protests when they were accosted by police. A gunfight followed and two civilians were killed. The one friend escaped, and the other one, who was captured with Solomon, was beaten so brutally that he was declared unfit to stand trial. Solomon, not having fired a shot, was left to face the murder charges alone.
He was sentenced to death by hanging on 2 March 1977, and the sentence was carried out on 6 April 1979. Facing the gallows, Solomon Mahlangu raised his hand in the ANC salute, and reputedly said the following:
“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”.
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More information on Solom Kalushi Mahlangu:
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