A LOT has already been written about the life of the late Chris Hani and it is not my intention to repeat what has already been said about him over the years since that tragic day of April 10 1993.
At the same time, however, it is imperative to elaborate on some of the outstanding qualities that Hani possessed.
My first direct contact with South Africa's revolutionary martyr was in Lesotho in 1977 following my deployment in that country as an Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) operative.
Hani was the regional head of the African National Congress in Lesotho at the time.
He had succeeded in creating a solid and effective combat base for the ANC in Lesotho, but Hani was withdrawn from the country in 1983 after several assassination attempts.
The final decision was taken after the last attempt on his life and those of his family in 1982 when the South African Defence Force invaded Lesotho and killed several MK members and also some local people.
Hani had true revolutionary charisma and he was stoical at the same time. He had great self-control and clarity of mind in adversity. He had iron nerves, resilience and revolutionary stamina. He had an excellent memory and remembered the names of most MK combatants.
What made him an outstanding leader and a skillful commander was that he recognised his errors before some of us did.
He did not justify his mistakes as many other leaders would have nor did he blame other people for his mistakes. He said that every mistake must be a lesson never to be repeated.
Hani taught us that he who does not make mistakes does nothing in the face of adversity, but is an armchair "pseudo-revolutionary".
He emphasised that professional revolutionaries who are engaged in a bitter class struggle to transform the world into a better place are bound to make mistakes sometimes.
Hani was a revolutionary who learnt from his mistakes as well as those of international revolutionaries. Most importantly, Hani made sure that he never repeated those mistakes.
- Setsubi is a member of the SACP central committee. He worked closely with Hani in Lesotho and Zambia.
'Treat mistakes as lessons and never ever repeat them'
A LOT has already been written about the life of the late Chris Hani and it is not my intention to repeat what has already been said about him over the years since that tragic day of April 10 1993.
At the same time, however, it is imperative to elaborate on some of the outstanding qualities that Hani possessed.
My first direct contact with South Africa's revolutionary martyr was in Lesotho in 1977 following my deployment in that country as an Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) operative.
Hani was the regional head of the African National Congress in Lesotho at the time.
He had succeeded in creating a solid and effective combat base for the ANC in Lesotho, but Hani was withdrawn from the country in 1983 after several assassination attempts.
The final decision was taken after the last attempt on his life and those of his family in 1982 when the South African Defence Force invaded Lesotho and killed several MK members and also some local people.
Hani had true revolutionary charisma and he was stoical at the same time. He had great self-control and clarity of mind in adversity. He had iron nerves, resilience and revolutionary stamina. He had an excellent memory and remembered the names of most MK combatants.
What made him an outstanding leader and a skillful commander was that he recognised his errors before some of us did.
He did not justify his mistakes as many other leaders would have nor did he blame other people for his mistakes. He said that every mistake must be a lesson never to be repeated.
Hani taught us that he who does not make mistakes does nothing in the face of adversity, but is an armchair "pseudo-revolutionary".
He emphasised that professional revolutionaries who are engaged in a bitter class struggle to transform the world into a better place are bound to make mistakes sometimes.
Hani was a revolutionary who learnt from his mistakes as well as those of international revolutionaries. Most importantly, Hani made sure that he never repeated those mistakes.
Also read: He was more than just a freedom fighter
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos