Members of Umkhonto weSizwe carry Hani's coffin at a vigil in Soweto in April 2003.
It was 20 years ago, yet the memory is as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. The news broke on the morning of April 10 1993: Chris Hani had been assassinated at his house in Boksburg.
Comrade Chris killed? Could it be true? It boggled the mind. It was just a few days since I had seen him last.
I was engulfed by shock, anger and frustration. My younger brother, Zandisile Musi, a former Robben Island political prisoner, had come to my sister’s place to break the sad news he had heard on radio. He was clearly devastated himself.
The ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP), the revolutionary alliance, the nation and progressive humanity as a whole had been dealt a heavy blow. Hani was the embodiment of the spirit of all these forces of change.
He was in exile for years in the ranks of Umkhonto weSizwe, as a commander, a commissar and a chief of staff.
He was a member of the national executive committee of the ANC, a member of the politburo of the SACP.
Daring soldier
He was a symbol of courage. A daring soldier, he led from the front during the attacks on our soldiers by Unita in Angola.
And, he was an internationalist who taught in both word and deed that the liberation of South Africa was inextricably linked to the liberation of the African continent and the world.
His dedication and commitment to the struggle for freedom, equality, justice, peace and democracy; his vision; his bold leadership and his compassion for the poorest and most vulnerable working masses of our country inspired many young people to defy death so that the people of South Africa could be free.
Hani steadfastly adhered to the values and principles that defined the struggle led by the ANC: unity, discipline, dedication to duty, and selflessness, among others. These, he taught, were sacrosanct.
The 20 years since his brutal assassination should make all of us ask two fundamental questions: Are we living up to his honourable service? Are we emulating him in our daily lives?
Had he been alive today, he would have reminded us that we are free because of the immense sacrifices made by the people of the African continent. This is vital as we watch with serious concern the leakage of sensitive security information to the media, such as the movements of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops during operations in the Central African Republic.
The SANDF and the security organs of the country should take a serious look at these leakages.
As the nation reflects on the life and times of Chris Hani, the best way to honour him would be to emulate his commitment to freedom and democracy, his devotion, patriotism and love for South Africa, as well as his commitment to building a better country, a better Africa and a better world.
Mbulelo Musi is the head of communications in the department of military veterans