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The African National Congress joins the mass democratic movement, progressive forces and South Africans at large in commemorating the 80th anniversary of Comrade Chris Hani. Comrade Hani played an important role in the ANC, as a member of the NEC since 1982, within Umkhonto we Sizwe as political commissar and Chief of Staff, and as leader of the South African Communist Party. After 1990, although he was initially skeptical of the suspension of armed struggle, he was involved in the negotiations.

Thembisile Martin Hani was born in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape to Gilbert and Mary Hani. He completed his school at Lovedale, where at the age of 15 he joined the ANC Youth League. Initially wanting to become a priest, Hani graduated from Fort Hare University and moved to Cape Town to do his articles as a lawyer. It was here in 1962 that he was recruited into the ANC underground and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and after a short arrest left for exile in May 1963.

Full Statement Attached

Issued by The African National Congress