Portia Mthombeni who is the niece of hanged ANC cadre Solomon Mahlangu, joined MK Party this week after the party’s leader Jacob Zuma visited the family in Mamelodi this week.
Mthombeni told Tshwane Talks that she is disillusioned with the ANC as it has failed to take care of her.
“During Zuma’s years as president there was a businessman who was sent to deliver groceries to me by Zuma every month, but since Zuma has been out of power there are no longer groceries being delivered to me and I believe that Zuma is the only one who still recognises Solomon Mahlangu as a hero in South Africa,” said Mthombeni.
Portia Mthombeni join MKP party photos by Dimakatso Modipa
“I respect Zuma because he still respects Solomon Mahlangu, unlike Ramaphosa who sidelines and keeps all people who are close to the Mahlangu family out of the ANC, so I like Zuma and no one will stop me from liking him,” she said.
Mthombeni explained that the house she lives in today was built for the Mahlangu family by Zuma.
Solomon Mahlangu was hanged by the erstwhile apartheid government on 6 April 1979 at the Pretoria Central Prison (now Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre) at the youthful age of 23.
MKP President Jacob Zuma, daughter and Chief Mahlangu
This after he was found guilty of murder based on the “common purpose” rule because his comrades and not him had actually shot and killed civilians in Johannesburg.
In welcoming Portia Mahlangu-Mthombeni to the MK Party, the party released the following statement:
“The MK Party is honoured to announce that Mam Portia Mahlangu, niece of the late Umkhonto WeSizwe veteran and freedom fighter Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu has joined the MK Party with the full blessings and support of her father Chief Lucas Mahlangu, who is the brother of the late Solomon Mahlangu.”
Just before he was executed Mahlangu is said to have said the following words:
“My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom.”
MKP President Jacob Zuma and Chief Mahlangu
After a private meeting with the Mahlangu family on Monday in Mamelodi, Zuma addressed MK Party members and explained that he received a call from Portia Mahlangu- Mthombeni to visit the family on Monday.
“I left everything I was doing and cancelled my appointments and came to see the Mahlangu family after Portia indicated that she wanted to see me urgently,” said Zuma.
“Portia surprised me when she told me that she wanted to join MK Party and I am saying MK Party is now her home and we welcome her with open arms,” he said.
Zuma stressed that MK Party members who misbehave shall be kicked out of the party.
Meanwhile, MK Party Member of Parliament Carol said that they were tasked and enquire about Solomon Mahlangu Museum and also the family support that was coming in from the government and where it is. And today we are asked to ask the minister of art and culture why the home of Solomon Mahlangu is not looked after? as a form of motion and debate and questions.