‘Bra Benz’ was a dedicated, disciplined warrior
TRIBUTES poured in this week following the death of anti-apartheid activist and well-known East London trade unionist Boyce Soci.
Soci, of Duncan Village, cut his teeth in politics in the late 1960s and was recruited into the ANC’s underground structures. He was then tasked to form SACP structures and among his major tasks was to unite the youth and women’s organisations in East London and the Border region.
His comrade and friend, Sisa Njikelana said “Comrade Benz”, as he was affectionately known, had “an illustrious history that spans from being an activist at Daimler Chrysler, organising the youth, to participating in the UDF as well as being involved in ANC underground activities – a feat very few have achieved”.
“Comrade Soci, though he was never a shop steward, provided leadership to the workers at Daimler Chrysler as if he was a shop steward during the time of the South African Allied Workers Union as well Numsa,” said Njikelana.
Born to a family of seven, Soci completed his primary education at Twecu village in King William’s Town before matriculating at Imiqhayi High School in Mount Coke.
He returned to East London as a labourer at various companies including Border Buses, the Border Council of Churches and Daimler Chrysler.
Another comrade, Phaki Ximiya, said Soci was his commander during “underground activities inside the country in 1985 and 1986”.
“It was never about him or for selfbenefit when he participated in the noble struggle for the liberation of the people of South Africa.
“He risked his life, setting up underground structures of the ANC and Sactu, harbouring and transporting guerrillas inside the country,” he said.
“I was fortunate to have worked with him inside the country. He was a dedicated and very disciplined warrior, a cadre of a special type of the ANC and Sactu who loved his people.”
Soci is survived by his wife, Nothembile, and daughter Pumla.
His memorial service will be held at Mdantsane’s NU1 community hall at 2pm today. He will be buried at Twecu village on Saturday. —