His Life :
A leading trade unionist in Durban, he was also prominent in the African National Congress in Natal. Born in 1913, he became a factory worker and was chairman of the African Textile Workers' Union in the 1950s. Later he became secretary of the Municipal and Milling Workers' Union. In 1954 he was elected to the Natal Congress executive and became Natal organizing secretary in 1956.

He was one of the accused in the Treason Trial until charges against him were withdrawn in late 1958. During the 1960 emergency he went into hiding and helped to organize demonstrations against the detention of Congress leaders. In 1961 he was an organizer for the May stay-at-home called by Nelson Mandela. Arrested and convicted in 1963 for incitement and furthering the aims of the banned ANC, he was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. While on Robben Island, he was elected honorary president of the South Africa Congress of Trade Unions in 1967. After his release from prison he was banished to a rural reserve area. Deceased.