Chris Hani (born Martin Thembisile Hani) is remembered as one of the most charismatic and influential figures of South Africa’s liberation struggle.
As Chief of Staff of uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK)—the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC)—and later General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Hani became a symbol of resistance against apartheid and an advocate for a democratic, non-racial South Africa.
His life story blends rural beginnings, intellectual formation, underground militancy, and principled leadership, culminating in a tragic assassination on 10 April 1993 that nearly derailed the country’s transition—but ultimately galvanized the push to elections.
Profile Data
- Full Name: Martin Thembisile Hani
- Stage Name (Known As): Chris Hani
- Born: 28 June 1942
- Age: Deceased (1993), aged 50
- Birthplace: Sabalele village, Cofimvaba region, Transkei (now Eastern Cape), South Africa.
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: Anti-apartheid activist; Chief of Staff of uMkhonto we Sizwe (1987–1992); General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (1991–1993).
- Parents: Gilbert Hani (father), Mary Hani (mother)
- Siblings: 5 (he was the fifth of six children)
- Spouse: Limpho Hani (née Sekamane; m. 1974)
- Children: Neo (b. 1973), Nomakhwezi (1978–2001), Lindiwe (b. 1981)
- Relationship: Married (1974–1993; his death)
Early Life and Education
Hani was born on 28 June 1942 in Sabalele, a rural village in the Cofimvaba region of the then-Transkei (today Eastern Cape).
He grew up in a large Xhosa family and was the fifth of six children. His father, Gilbert Hani, worked as a migrant laborer and was politically aware; his mother, Mary Hani, held the family together under difficult circumstances. These early experiences—of rural hardship, migrant labor, and racial discrimination—would shape his political imagination from a young age.
A gifted student, Hani attended mission and government schools before pursuing studies at the University of Fort Hare, where he read English, Latin, and classical literature. Fort Hare, a crucible for African intellectual and political life, exposed Hani to a wide range of ideas and activists, reinforcing his commitment to a future free of apartheid.
Political Awakening and Joining the Struggle
As a teenager, Hani joined the ANC Youth League. The 1950s and early 1960s were marked by intensifying repression in South Africa, and the ANC moved from non-violent protest to armed struggle after the Sharpeville massacre and the banning of liberation movements. Hani went underground and ultimately joined MK, committing himself to a disciplined life of clandestine organization and military training, including periods in exile.
Exile, Military Training, and Command in MK
Hani received military training abroad and served in cross-border operations during the liberation struggles of the region. Rising through the ranks, he became known for strategic acumen, personal courage, and a strong sense of ethics toward civilians and comrades alike. In 1987, he was appointed Chief of Staff of MK, responsible for military planning during a period of intense internal and international pressure on the apartheid state.
Leadership in the SACP and Alliance Politics
Beyond the battlefield, Hani was a respected political thinker. In 1991, he succeeded Joe Slovo as General Secretary of the SACP, emphasizing unity within the ANC-SACP-COSATU alliance and pushing for a negotiated transition that would center social justice, worker rights, and inclusive democracy. His ability to speak plainly to ordinary people made him one of the most popular leaders of the early 1990s.
Family Life
In 1974, Hani married Limpho Sekamane (now Limpho Hani). The couple had three daughters—Neo (1973), Nomakhwezi (1978–2001), and Lindiwe (1981). Despite years in exile, security threats, and constant travel, accounts of Hani’s home life portray a devoted father who insisted on education and integrity. Limpho herself played roles in support networks for MK cadres and took on organizing tasks during the movement’s expansion in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Assassination of Chris Hani
On the morning of 10 April 1993, outside his home in Dawn Park, Boksburg, Hani was assassinated by Janusz Waluś, a far-right Polish immigrant. The operation was linked to Clive Derby-Lewis, a senior figure in the Conservative Party, who supplied the weapon and shared a hit list of prominent anti-apartheid leaders. Hani’s murder sent shockwaves through South Africa—provoking mass strikes, street protests, and fears of civil war just as negotiations for a democratic dispensation were reaching their most delicate stage.
Within days, Nelson Mandela addressed the nation, calling for calm and unity, an intervention many credit with preventing widespread bloodshed and keeping the transition on track. The outpouring of grief and demonstrations of solidarity helped persuade negotiators to set a firm date for the first democratic elections—27 April 1994—ensuring that Hani’s death, while devastating, would not be in vain.
Trials, Accountability, and the TRC
Waluś and Derby-Lewis were arrested, convicted, and initially sentenced to death; these sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment after South Africa abolished the death penalty. Both men sought amnesty at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), claiming political motivation. The TRC denied amnesty, concluding they had not acted under orders. Derby-Lewis was eventually released on medical parole in 2015 and died in 2016; Waluś’s parole has been a recurring subject of legal and political debate.
Ideas, Voice, and Public Appeal
Hani’s appeal rested on three intertwined qualities:
- Moral clarity: He articulated a politics grounded in dignity, fairness, and material improvement for the poor.
- Organizational discipline: Whether in MK or the SACP, Hani demanded accountability, careful planning, and non-sectarian cooperation.
- Plain-spoken communication: He could translate difficult ideas into accessible language, making socialism and democracy feel practical rather than abstract.
These traits made him both a formidable leader and a bridge between militant youth and elders who favored negotiation.
Legacy and Memorials
Chris Hani’s legacy is visible across South Africa:
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto bears his name, as does the Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
- Academic and artistic tributes—from books and documentaries to operas—have memorialized his life and ideas.
- Annual commemorations on 10 April reflect on the unfinished business of equality, jobs, safety, and social services—issues Hani insisted had to accompany political freedom.
His story also serves as a warning: the transition to democracy was fragile, and gains can never be taken for granted. For many South Africans, Hani symbolizes the demand that democracy deliver real change, not just new faces in power.
Timeline (Key Dates)
- 28 June 1942: Born in Sabalele, Cofimvaba, Transkei.
- Early 1960s: Joins the ANC and MK; goes into exile and receives military training.
- 1987: Appointed Chief of Staff of MK.
- 1991: Elected General Secretary of the SACP.
- 10 April 1993: Assassinated in Boksburg; national crisis and mass protests follow.
- 27 April 1994: South Africa holds its first democratic elections; Hani’s assassination widely seen as a turning point that hastened the process.
FAQs
Who was Chris Hani?
Chris Hani was a South African revolutionary, Chief of Staff of MK (1987–1992), and General Secretary of the SACP (1991–1993). He was a leading voice against apartheid and a key figure in the country’s democratic transition.
What was Chris Hani’s real name?
His full name was Martin Thembisile Hani; “Chris” was the name he adopted during the struggle and by which he became widely known.
Where was Chris Hani born?
He was born in Sabalele, a village near Cofimvaba in the former Transkei (Eastern Cape).
Who killed Chris Hani and why is it significant?
He was assassinated by Janusz Waluś with the complicity of Clive Derby-Lewis. The killing nearly pushed South Africa into widespread violence but ultimately accelerated the resolve to hold democratic elections.
Was Chris Hani married and did he have children?
Yes. He married Limpho Sekamane (Limpho Hani) in 1974. They had three daughters: Neo, Nomakhwezi (1978–2001), and Lindiwe.
What positions did he hold in the liberation movement?
Hani served as MK Chief of Staff and later as SACP General Secretary, helping coordinate strategy during the final years of apartheid.
What is Chris Hani’s lasting legacy?
He is remembered for his courage, integrity, and insistence that political freedom must translate into social and economic justice. Memorials, institutions, and annual commemorations keep his legacy alive.
Conclusion
Chris Hani’s life tells the story of South Africa’s long march from oppression to democracy. From rural Sabalele to the top ranks of MK and the SACP, he stood for unity, discipline, and social justice.
His 1993 assassination was intended to derail the transition; instead, the nation rallied to uphold it. Hani’s example continues to challenge leaders and citizens alike: democracy must deliver dignity and opportunity for all, or it risks betraying the sacrifices that made it possible.