Lennox Lagu Explained

Honorific Prefix:Lieutenant General
Mongameli Johnson Tshali
Nickname:Mxwako, Lennox Lagu
Office:MK Chief of Staff
Term Start:1967
Term End:1975
Predecessor:Lambert Moloi
Successor:Joe Slovo
Office1:ANC Chief Representative for Mozambique
Term Start1:1975
Term End1:1983
Birth Date:1938 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Allegiance:South Africa
Branch:South African Army
uMkhonto we Sizwe
Serviceyears:19611999
Rank:Lieutenant General
Commands:uMkhonto we Sizwe
Battles:Wankie-Sipolilo Campaign

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, and the only general in the history of South African Military to be promoted posthumously. He was a fierce opponent of the apartheid government.

Early life

Monganeli Tshali was born in Port Elizabeth on 16 October 1938, and was the eldest child. He did his primary and senior secondary schooling at Upper United Mission School and Newell High School in New Brighton respectively. He decided to join the fight against apartheid at a young age and left Port Elizabeth to join the struggle.

Whilst in exile in Zambia, Tshali met and wed Olipah Tshali until her death in 2002. They had 4 children Sebenzile Tshali, Zamile Tshali, Zuzeka Tshali and Sanele Tshali.

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.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.

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