Andrew Mlangeni facts for kids

Andrew Mokete Mlangeni (born June 6, 1925 – died July 21, 2020) was a brave South African political activist. He was also known by other names like Percy Mokoena. Mlangeni fought against apartheid, a very unfair system in South Africa that separated people based on their race. He was a close friend of Nelson Mandela and, like Mandela, was sent to prison after a famous court case called the Rivonia Trial.

Early Life and Fight Against Apartheid

Andrew Mlangeni was born in a place called Bethlehem, Orange Free State. His family was poor, so he had to stop school early. After 1946, he worked in a factory and saw how workers were treated unfairly.

When he became a bus driver, he helped lead a strike. This strike was to get better working conditions and fair pay for workers. In 1951, he joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). This was a group for young people who wanted to change South Africa. In 1954, he joined the main African National Congress (ANC).

In 1961, Mlangeni went outside South Africa for military training. When he came back in 1963, he was arrested. He was accused of helping to recruit and train an armed force to fight against apartheid. He was found guilty in the important Rivonia Trial. He was then sentenced to spend his life in prison on Robben Island. His prison number was 467/64.

Life After Prison

Andrew Mlangeni was set free from prison in October 1989. He had spent 26 years there. After South Africa became a democracy, he became a member of parliament for the ANC. He served from 1994 to 1999. He later served again in the National Assembly from 2009 to 2014, when he retired.

Mlangeni was a very close friend of Nelson Mandela. He even spoke at Mandela's memorial service at FNB Stadium.

Films and Awards

In 2015, a film was made about Andrew Mlangeni. It was called Prisoner 467/64: The Untold Legacy of Andrew Mlangeni.

In 2017, Mlangeni appeared in a documentary film. It was called Life is Wonderful. In this film, he was with other people who were also on trial at the Rivonia Trial. The film told the story of that trial.

Mlangeni received special honors from universities. In 2018, he got an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the Durban University of Technology. He also received an honorary doctorate in Law from Rhodes University.

On July 20, 2018, Andrew Mlangeni was given the Freedom of the City of London. He was 93 years old. During this visit, he was also a special guest at an exhibition. This exhibition celebrated 100 years since Nelson Mandela's birth. He was there with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. For Mandela's birthday celebration, Mlangeni read Mandela's favorite poem, Invictus, on the BBC's Newsnight show.

Family Life

Andrew Mlangeni married June Ledwaba in 1950. She was born on March 22, 1927, and passed away on May 24, 2001, from cancer. They had four children together.

His Passing

Andrew Mlangeni passed away on July 21, 2020, in a hospital in Pretoria. He was 95 years old. He was the last person still alive from the Rivonia Trial. The President Cyril Ramaphosa shared his sadness. He said that Mlangeni's passing marked the end of an important time in history.

Mlangeni was given a special state funeral on July 29, 2020. He was buried at Roodepoort cemetery next to his wife, June.

See Also

In Spanish: Andrew Mlangeni para niños