(Martin Thembisile) (1942-1993)
South African communist and antiapartheid activist, leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe (the military wing of the African National Congress) from 1987 and secretary-general of the South African Communist Party (SACP) from 1991. One of the most popular black South African leaders, particularly among the radical young, he was seen as a potential successor to Nelson Mandela. He was assassinated by a white right-wing extremist.
Hani joined Umkhonto we Sizwe 1962, but fled the country later the same year after being sentenced to prison under the Suppression of Communism Act. While in exile he fought against white rule in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and subsequently ran an Umkhonto network in Lesotho, where he survived two assassination attempts. In 1987 he was made chief of staff of Umkhonto. His death April 1993 came as a serious blow to the ANC, for whom he provided a vital and influential link with black militant groups.

A Loloish language; Also called: Akha.