The Lion of Chiawelo

Petros Linda Jobane (MK name` Gordon Dikebu`) is just one of the many young workers and SACP martyrs who died on active service in the ranks of Umkhonto we Sizwe.

Born in Soweto, Jobane`s father died while he was still very young. His mother could only afford to keep him at school until Standard Five, after which he worked to help support the family.

His working class experience and the 1976 Soweto Uprising led Jobane into the revolutionary movement.

Early on the morning of November 21, 1980 the enemy, in large numbers, surrounded his hide-out in the Soweto township of Chiawelo. The police called on Jobane to surrender.

Instead, Jobane defiantly fired back. he fought to his last bullet. Witnessess say he ` fought like a lion`. The police, who had assembled a huge force, had to keep a respectful distance. Some were seen to be hit. Jonabe finally died in a grenade explosion - he was determined not to be taken alive.

What emerged from his combat unit, after his death, was that they called him `ikommunisi` because of his dedication and determination.