Sicelo Mhlauli

Sicelo Mhlauli (25 May 1949 – 27 June 1985) was a South African anti-apartheid activist, and one of the Cradock Four who were murdered by South African police in 1985.

Early life Sicelo Mhlauli was born on 25 May 1949, at Emagqomeni Location in Cradock in the Eastern Cape. His family later moved to Lingelihle Township in 1962 to a section called Taptap. His grandfather Qobose Mhlauli was also a politician and had worked closely with James Calata who was Fort Calata's grandfather and one of the founding members of the South African Native National Congress. Mhlauli went to St James Primary, Cradock Bantu Secondary and finally studied teaching at Lovedale College where he majored in Afrikaans and History.

Politics Mhlauli met ex-political prisoner Msuthu Sonkwala who was from Cradock but not allowed to live there by the government due to his banning conditions after he was released from prison. Mhlauli held political meetings with Sonkwala and other ex-political prisoners. They would discuss politics and ways to mobilise the community and teach them about the current political status. Their aim was to get the community involved in protests against the injustices that were brought by the apartheid government. Mhlauli's had been at a course in PE and he had planned to pick her up on their way home. This however did not materialise as their meeting went on until late in the evening. Speakers at the funeral included Beyers Naudé, Allan Boesak and Steve Tshwete gave keynote addresses. A message from the then president of the ANC Oliver Tambo was read.

To honour him, Mhlauli was awarded the Order of Luthuli in Silver by the Presidency of South Africa. The order was for his "Outstanding contribution and dedicating his life to a free, just and democratic South Africa".