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Tribute to the Life of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu
By: Jabu Mahlangu
The little known rural area called Doornkop in middelberg, Mpumalanga province never came to its knowledge that it will one day produce a heroic cadre like Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu ( MK name Byron Mafu). Born on 10 July 1956, he was the last born child of the late Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Martha Mahlangu ( nee Motau). His siblings are the late Linah Chiloane, the late Sabina, Stephen, Gerlie Mnguni and Lucas.
His family resettled in an area which was known as Riverside in Pretoria and where forcibly removed to Mamelodi Township under the Apartheid group areas act. His schooled at Ndima lower primary in 1963, Emthunzini Higher Primary and Mamelodi High in 1973-1976.
He was keen soccer player and played for different local teams, jazz music, appreciation was also very close to his heart. He was proactive, obedient, disciplined, eager to face challenges and was business-minded always selling apples and peanuts in the trains which were the main means of transportation.
According to him, his political interest started in 1972 listening to ANC's radio Freedom broadcasting in Zambia. He got inspired by the call of the youth to swell the ranks of Umkhonto We Sizwe to liberate the country through armed struggle. In October 1976, he secretly left the country with two friends. Thomas Masuku (Thipe Koipato) and Themba Nkosi (Lybon Maposola) being assisted by Richard Chauke.
They joined the ANC in Mozambique and received their military training in Angola in 1977. They trained in the same detachment with Lucky Mahlangu (George Mazibuko) and Monty Motloung ( Paul...) who were later partnered with Solomon Mahlangu to infiltrate the country under the command of Siphwe Nyanda ( Gebhuza).
After several days of their arrival back in the country, they were engaged in an armed clash with the South African security forces in Johannesburg. Solomon Mahlangu and Monty Motloung were captured and Lucky Mahlangu managed to avoid the arrest and retreated back to Mozambique.
Solomon was sentenced on the 2nd of March 1978 whereas Monty was kept as a prisoner of the State due to mental illness caused by head injuries during the armed clash.
He (Solomon) hanged on the 06 April 1979 at the Pretoria central prison. His last word to his mother were ( my blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom, tell my people that I love them and they must continue with the fight- Aluta Continua. He went to meet his death at the hands of the blood thirsty hang man, singing defiantly.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!
"...Immortality lies not in the things you leave behind but in the people your life has touched..."- Somafco-X Trust
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