Johnson Mlambo
Johnson Phillip Mlambo (22 February 1940 – 9 January 2021) was a South African politician[1] from Johannesburg.
Johnson Phillip Mlambo | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 February 1940 |
| Died | 9 January 2021 (aged 80) |
| Political party | Pan Africanist Congress (1959–2021) |
| Occupation |
|
Activism and political career
He joined the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) at its foundation in 1959, becoming branch leader in Daveyton. In 1962, two years after its banning, he went to the underground headquarters in Maseru, where he was part of the preparations for the so-called "Year of Destiny" being planned in 1963.
He was arrested on 31 March 1963, along with seven colleagues, sentenced to twenty years in prison, and transferred to Robben Island. On the island, he suffered abuse from prison warders, including being buried alive to his neck, and urinated on. This and other forms of ill-treatment were exposed to the international community, came before the United Nations General Assembly, and led to some improvements in conditions.[2]
After his release on 20 June 1983, he rejoined the PAC, and spent about ten days with his family before leaving the country to join the PAC in exile. He was appointed Secretary for Foreign Affairs and, after the death of John Nyathi Pokela, was appointed chairman and commander in chief of the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), the PAC's military wing, from 12 August 1985 until 1990.[3] He served as Deputy President of the PAC from 1990 to 1994.[1]
Personal life and death
He was the uncle of Judge Dunstan Mlambo.[4]
He died of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, on the morning of 9 January 2021, after being admitted to hospital the day before.[5][6]
References
- "Mlambo, Johnson P." Contemporary Africa Database ::: People. The Africa Centre. 17 December 2003. Archived from the original on 25 August 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
- "Johnson Phillip Mlambo - South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- Kondlo, Kwandiwe Merriman (1 January 2004). "The generation of strained intra-PAC relations in exile 1962-1990" (PDF). In the twilight of the Azanian Revolution: the exile history of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (South Africa): (1960-1990). University of Johannesburg. pp. Chapter 4, pp 146–246. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
- "LRC Oral History Project – Dunstan Mlambo" (PDF). Wits University. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
- @pac_president (9 January 2021). "It is with sadness that we announce the passing away of PAC vetaran, Johnson Mlambo" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- @MyPAConline (9 January 2021). "The PAC of Azania sadly announces that Comrade Johnson Phillip Mlambo (80) passed away after being admitted to hosp…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.