I let this one slip today. Should’ve blogged it earlier, but rather late than never.
Let me bestow upon you a little story. I think that my political affinity and interest was destined to land in my lap. I had no choice you see. I have mentioned already that I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr Mandela. I have also been fortunate enough to have met Mr Hani.
This is laughable, I know, but his children attended the self same orthodontist as I did in my youth.
Hani was assassinated in 1993. I must’ve met him in passing in 1992 or there abouts in the hallway of the ortho’s offices. He sat with my mother and conversed while I looked on as per usual. Nothing special. Little did I know.
I recall the day, to the very minute that we heard he had been killed. I didn’t quite understand it but my mother was beside herself. She has always been politically involved and for her meeting Chris Hani was a moving experience and one that she cherished. His death moved her to tears. I just didn’t get it. I had no concept of the man I had met a year early (could’ve been more like 6 months now that I think about it). I didn’t grasp the significane of his presence and his life. I do now.
So this short post is in recognition of his life and his memory.
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April 10th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Like you, Nic, I also had the pleasure of meeting Chris Hani, on that same tour we did when I met Nelson Mandela. I really, really liked him and cannot help to think how our political landscape would have looked with him still alive.
I was still in Stellenbosch studying and vividly remember reading on my bed in the private residence I shared with 4 other male students when the news broke of his murder. I was reading Asimov’s “Foundation’s Edge”.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Interesting – I remember the moment I heard about Chris Hani’s death too. I was 16, and had only recently started to become politically aware. I remember crying when I heard about it, for so many complex reasons, and wanting to talk about Chris Hani to anyone who was interested (which, to be realistic, in suburban white society in the early 90s wasn’t too many people…). I also remember the photo on the front page of the paper a few days later – of Tokyo Sexwale with tears streaming down his face. It all became very real to me at that moment – I was struck by the knowledge that these people, whom I’d been taught to fear and suspect by the society I lived in, were very real human beings, had hearts and suffered grief. I think that might have been one of the defining moments in my life. Your post took me back… thank you.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Perhaps amongst all the crocodile tears and the over inflated expressions of grief you guys could remember that the anc is nothing more than a self serving, non altruistic communist organisation dedicated to eradicating rationality in southern africa.
So whilst you remember Hani, spare a thought as well for the innocent victims of all races who have died thanks to this new so called freedom.
South Africans need decent responsible government, more objectivity and a lot less lies corruption crime and governmental manipulation of reality.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Joe – I get what you are trying to say. But if you read my post, it has nothing to do with the ANC but with Chris Hani, the person.
The comments above yours also state that perhaps things would be slightly different if he were alive for the change and had an effect on our democracy?
But your comments have no relevance to this post I don’t think.
April 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Heres a headsup to you Nick. As an older black South African views and efforts like yours go a long way to reassuring me that the struggle was worthwhile.
April 11th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Sharon – Thank you for that! I am glad that there are people who enjoy positivity and find comfort in it!
April 16th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Joe… Stick to the post and stop pushing your own agenda. I intensely dislike people who label anything to do with the anc as communist and/or dangerous. I’m sure chris hani would not have been happy with the way things are currently handled in the country…. Maybe if he was not cruelly and unjustufuably taken from our midst, we would not be in the situation we currently are.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Hi Nic,
Just discovered SA Rocks. Very nice. Love your real outlook and lack of pretense. Will visit again. I was looking for some info on Chris Hani, having also had a personal experience with him.
Seems like he touched many. To your critics, feel free to post negativities when you too have influenced so many so profoundly. I am not holding my breath, Joe Public.
Southafricandivas last blog post..Freedom or Exploitation?
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 am
Omg Nic!!!I love ur site!!I love your enthusiusm about this country and the hope you have for it!!!
I tried starting one lyk this as well but myn didn’t turn out as great but I’m still tryng..
Keep up all the gd positive work..
lvies: Sihle
September 30th, 2008 at 10:38 am
LOL
that doesn’t even make any sense!