Richard Sikakane

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Mdumiseni Richard Sikakane (18 August 1936 – January 2021), also spelled Richard Sikhakhane, was a South African politician and longtime member of the African National Congress (ANC). He joined Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the ANC’s armed wing, in 1963 and ran underground ANC structures in the Durban area for about 30 years. After apartheid, he served in the National Assembly for three terms from 1994 to 2009.

Early life and education
Sikakane was born in the Matshana Reserve near Empangeni, Zululand (Natal Province). He was one of seven siblings and grew up in Durban. With help from his uncle, a school principal, he began high school at Adams College in Amanzimtoti in 1955. He was expelled in 1956 for helping organize a stay-away in solidarity with the Women’s March, but Mazisi Kunene arranged for him to stay with ANC supporters in Umlazi. After finishing school, he worked as a clerk at the KwaMuhle Bantu Administration Department alongside ANC stalwart Johnny Makhathini.

MK and political career
In 1963 Sikakane joined MK and led underground ANC structures in the Durban area, including Ntuzuma, Inanda, and parts of KwaMashu, until 1992. In 1992 he returned to Zululand to serve as the ANC’s regional elections coordinator in northern Natal. In the first post-apartheid elections in 1994, Sikakane was elected to the National Assembly as an ANC representative. He was re-elected in 1999 and 2004, serving until 2009. In August 2007, the ANC appointed him as a parliamentary whip for a portfolio committee.

Personal life and death
Sikakane was married to Dorcas Sikakane and had four children. He passed away in January 2021 at the age of 84.