Andrew Mlangeni

In 1951 he joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and later in 1954 he joined the African National Congress (ANC). During the Congress of the People he was a branch delegate at Kliptown. Mlangeni became a journalist on the newspaper New Age when Ruth First was editor. He was recruited to the Young Communist League by Ruth First in 1944 and later joined the South African Communist Party (SACP) full time in 1959 as its secretary for the Johannesburg region, responsible for black groups. In 1951 he formally joined the ANC Youth League, and then the ANC in 1954. In 1961 he was among the first, along with Nandha Naidoo, Raymond Mhlaba, Joe Gqabi and Patrick Mthembu, to be sent for military training outside the country to China. After an initial induction as a group, Mlangeni and Naidoo were taken to Shenyang (Mukden) to be taught radio technology and communication. Following a police raid on Lilliesleaf Farm at Rivonia, almost all the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) High Command were arrested on 11 July 1963. Although not in the High Command, Andrew Mlangeni would be charged alongside the others with sabotage and conspiracy, for which the maximum penalty was death by hanging. Patrick Mthembu was listed to give evidence for the state. Eight of the Rivonia trialists were sentenced to life imprisonment on 12 June 1964, including Andrew Mlangeni who had not been in the leadership. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. Though leaders of many countries throughout the world have tried to persuade the Government to abandon its apartheid policy, and although resolutions have been passed in the United Nations against South Africa, this has met with no result. All that the Government has done is to reply to the people's demands by putting their political leaders in gaol, and breaking up families" At time of his sentencing Mlangeni was married to Johanna Junny with whom he had ten children. His wife died in 2001. In 1992, Mlangeni was awarded the Isithwalandwe Seaparankwe , the highest honour from the ANC for those who have made an outstanding contribution to the liberation struggle. He received the Presidential Order for Meritorious Service: Class 1: Gold from former President Nelson Mandela in 1999. On 30 July 2011, the South African Communist Party (SACP) celebrated its 90th anniversary. Initially known as the Commun Member of the SACP and ANC, founder member of the South African Congress of Democrats (COD) and Author. On 30 July 2011, the South African Communist Party (SACP) celebrated its 90th anniversary. Initially known as the Commun