The memorial lecture was delivered by the ANC General Secretary Gwede Mantashe.

Among the leaders that attended the lecture was Former Mayor of Cape Town, Nomaindia Mfeketo, Premier of the Western Cape, Ebrahim Rasool, Provincial MEC for Education, Cameron Dugmore, Provincial Minister of Community Safety, Leonard Ramatlakane, Provincial Secretary of the ANC, Mcebisi Sikhwatsha, Chairperson of the regional executive of the ANC Thozama Bevu, Provincial Secretary of the SACP, Khaya Magaxa, Chairperson of the ANCWL, Nonzaliseko Makanda, Deputy provincial Secretary, Max Ozinsky and local councillors.

He said Chris Hani would receive “isithalandwe” the highest order in the ANC accompanied by the foot soldiers, who are often not recognised for their efforts in the liberation struggle.

He said the foot soldiers would be catered according to different categories.

The awards are given to people who had made a distinguish service to the cause of liberation in the ANC.

The awards ceremony will be carried out at ANC headquarters in Luthuli House in Johannesburg

Mantashe said the awards are mean’t to remind us of what these people stood for.

“The question must be then asked whether we had not betrayed their cause.”

He said Hani’s leadership revitalised the ANC.

“Hani insisted on describing socialism in simple terms for all people to understand.So that you can mobilise the masses effectively.”

He said it was through the death of Hani that an election date was achieved. “If he was alive he would have phased out this factionalism that has characterised our movement throughout South Africa.” he said

He said the infighting in the ANC is driven by the desire to control and distribute resource according to factions.

He said the only way we can honour Hani is to win the Western Cape.

He said we must defeat the factionalism that characterise us.

Contestation about positions of the party should be not done at the expense of the ANC.

He said debates must be conducted in the ANC structures.

“If you do not support this leadership, you are undermining the ANC.” he said.