Getting into good trouble

[Halcon]( [Mail & Guardian Newsletter logo](#) [mg.co.za]( [The Ampersand Daily Newsletter from the M&G team](#) [Divider Strip] July 22 2020 | [View in browser]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Hi there, Some of the most powerful words [John Lewis]( left us was the concept of "good trouble". The legendary civil rights leader and longtime representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district died July 17 at the age of 80. His legacy of getting into "good trouble" to oppose systemic racism, will continue for years to come. "Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble," he said. "The boy from Troy" dedicated his life to protecting and advancing the rights of black people in the United States. Soldiering on through beatings and arrests as a [Freedom Rider]( in the early 1960s, he galvanised seas of people alongside Martin Luther King Jr at the 1963 [March on Washington]( and spent nearly four decades championing the causes of marginalised communities as a US senator. One man who personified good trouble was [Andrew Mlangeni](. In 1963, Mlangeni stood alongside Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Ahmed Kathrada, Lionel Bernstein, James Kantor and Dennis Goldberg in the Supreme Court on charges of sabotage and planning to embark on guerilla warfare for the purpose of violent revolution against the apartheid government. Mlangeni would later say that he went to prison in the fight for freedom. All the men, except Bernstein -- who was released, rearrested, released on bail and then fled into exile -- were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. The anti-apartheid struggle veteran was admitted to a military hospital in Pretoria [last night with an abdominal complaint](. He celebrated his 95th birthday in June. "The passing of Andrew Mekete Mlangeni signifies the end of a generational history and places our future squarely in our hands," President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement. "Until recently, we were able to sit at Bab' Mlangeni's feet and draw on his wealth of wisdom and his unfailing commitment -- even at his very advanced age -- to a better life for all South Africans." Perhaps the best way we can ensure their lives were not in vain is to try to emulate their bravery and conviction in the face of injustice. Until tomorrow, Kiri Rupiah & Luke Feltham [Divider Strip] [Sanlam]( [Divider Strip] [Old Mutual]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( You are receiving this email on {EMAIL} because 1.) You're a member of "Mail & Guardian" or 2.) previously subscribed [M&G logo] 25 Owl St, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg, 2092 Want to be removed? No problem! [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Email support: help@media-connect.co.za - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -