Lennox Lagu

Lennox Lagu, born Mongameli Johnson Tshali (16 October 1938 – 7 September 2011) was a commander of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). He was a major general in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). He was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant General.[1] He was a fierce opponent of the apartheid government.

Mongameli Johnson Tshali
MK Chief of Staff
In office
1967–1975
Preceded byLambert Moloi
Succeeded byJoe Slovo
ANC Chief Representative for Mozambique
In office
1975–1983
Personal details
Born(1938-10-16)16 October 1938
Johannesburg, South Africa
DiedSeptember 7, 2011(2011-09-07) (aged 72)
Military service
Nickname(s)Mxwako, Lennox Lagu
AllegianceSouth Africa
Branch/serviceSouth African Army
Umkhonto we Sizwe
Years of service1961–1999
RankLieutenant General
CommandsUmkhonto we Sizwe
Battles/warsOperation Nickel

Early life

Tshali was born in Port Elizabeth on 16 October 1938, he did his primary and senior secondary schooling at Upper United Mission School and Newell High School in New Brighton respectively.

Military career

Tshali joined the ANC and MK in 1961; he served in various capacities until his return to South Africa in 1992. He served as an MK commander in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. He served as the ANC Chief Representative in Mozambique between 1975 and 1983.[2][3] In 1967–1968, Tshali was the deputy commander of the Luthuli Contingent which fought alongside Zimbabwean People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) forces in the Wankie Sipollilo campaign.

In 1994 Tshali was integrated into the SANDF where he obtained the rank of major general and served the South African Army as the leader of Project Juggernaut which dealt with issues of troop discipline.[1]

Awards and Decorations

Notes
  1. Visser 2011.
  2. Sellström 2002, p. 641–.
  3. Houston and Magubane 2004, p. 960–.
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References
  • Marthie Visser (2011-09-15). "The passing on of Major General (retired) Mongameli Johnson Tshali". Department of Defence. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  • Tor Sellström (2002). Sweden and National Liberation in Southern Africa: Solidarity and assistance, 1970–1994. Nordic Africa Institute. ISBN 978-91-7106-448-6.
  • Gregory Houston; Bernard Magubane (2004). The Road to Democracy in South Africa: 1970–1980. Unisa Press. ISBN 978-1-86888-406-3.
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