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Media Statement: SAHRC Mourns the Passing of the Last Surviving Rivonia Trailist, Andrew Mokete Mlangeni

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Wednesday, 22 July 2020
    
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) is deeply saddened by the passing of Andrew Mokete Mlangeni, the last remaining Rivonia Trialist.

Andrew Mokete Mlangeni’s life was defined by the selfless contribution he and many of his contemporaries made in the struggle against Apartheid. His selfless sacrifice along with those of great names such as Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, Walter Sisulu, Denis Goldberg and others, ensured the end of the repression of Apartheid and led to the Constitutional Democracy we have today, built on the foundation of equality, dignity and freedom for all.

His activism toward equality began as a worker, when as a bus driver he was active in a strike for better working conditions and a living wage. In 1951 he joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and in 1954, the African National Congress (ANC). In 1961, he was sent for military training outside South Africa, but on his return in 1963, was arrested, after being accused of recruiting and training an armed force. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island, at the Rivonia Trial.

The Rivonia Trial took place between the 9th October 1963 and the 12th June 1964, where Mlangeni and his contemporaries were convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life at the Palace of Justice, Pretoria.
 
As the last surviving Rivonia Trailist, he turned 95 on the 6th June 2020. He was admitted to One Military Hospital in Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria, on Tuesday, 14th July 2020, following an abdominal complaint. He tragically passed away on Tuesday evening, the 21st July 2020.

The SAHRC reminds all within South Africa and the world, that the sacrifices of Andrew Mlangeni and many of his comrades should never be forgotten.

After nearly three decades of imprisonment, due to their struggle for equality and a better life for all in South Africa, he and his comrades lived to see and serve a Constitutionally Democratic South Africa. Mlangeni however never shied away from speaking truth to power and criticised much of the corruption, maladministration and inefficiencies by those tasked with serving the people of South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa is quoted as having called Andrew Mokete Mlangeni a man of integrity, a personality trait we should all emulate.

The Commission extends its deepest and sincerest condolences to the family and to all South Africans in deep mourning.

Ends –
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission
Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.

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