23 November 2000
It is with great sadness that the South African Communist Party (SACP) has learnt of the death of Mrs. Nomayise Hani, the mother of the late General Secretary of the SACP, Chris Hani. Mrs. Hani died on Tuesday, 21 November 2000, at the family home in the S abalele village (Cofimvaba District, Eastern Cape Province).
As the SACP we lower our flag in honour of this stalwart. Like many spouses, Mrs. Hani had to endure many years of living without her husband who was working more than 1400km away in Cape Town because of the apartheid migrant labour system. Like many mothe rs, Mrs. Hani also endured more than 3 decades without one of her sons, Chris Hani, who was exiled by the apartheid regime. Much as those who were toiling in the major cities of our country and those who were exiled suffered greatly for being away fromhome and struggling under very difficult conditions, we sometimes forget the sufferings of spouses who were left behind to keep the fires burning at home.
One of the most painful periods of the life of Mrs. Hani was the death of Chris Hani on 10 April 1993 which, not long after that, was followed by the death of her husband, Mr. Gilbert Hani in 1995.
We are however comforted by the knowledge that Mrs. Hani lived to see the fruits of the struggle that Chris Hani devoted his life to. Since 1997, the Chris Hani Water Scheme has provided running water to the rural areas of Cofimvaba. As Chris Hani said Soc ialism is not about big concepts and heavy theory. Socialism is about decent shelter for those who are homeless. It is about water for those who have no safe drinking water. It is about health care, it is about a life of dignity for the old. It is about ov ercoming the huge divide between urban and rural areas. It is about education for all our people.
We say Hamba Kahle Mam uHani, siyohlala sikukhumbula. South African Communists and the people of our country will always keep fond memories of you.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity South African Communist Party
Tel - 011 339-3621/2 Fax - 011 339-4244
Cell - 083 651 0271 Email - sacp1@wn.apc.org