Hamilton Kraai was born and educated at Peddie in the Cape, he went to work as a warehouse foreman in Johannesburg, where he joined the African National Congress (ANC). In 1918 he was arrested on charges of incitement in connection with the Rand "bucket strike" of sanitation workers. The charges were eventually withdrawn, and Kraai later moved to Cape Town, where he resumed his political activities
References
Gerhart G.M and Karis T. (ed)(1977). From Protest to challenge: A documentary History of African Politics in South Africa: 1882-1964, Vol.4 Political Profiles 1882 - 1964 . Hoover Institution Pres: Stanford University.