Struggle stalwart Duma laid to rest
SOUTH African Struggle stalwart Alfred Maphamba Duma, 94, was laid to rest in his hometown of Ezakheni, Ladysmith, yesterday.
Duma was honoured by President Jacob Zuma with the Order of Mendi for Bravery in Silver in 2013. It was for his leadership in times of difficulty, and his brave contribution to the rights of workers and the liberation of the people of South Africa.
Duma joined the ANC and then the South African Trade Union in 1952. In 1961, he joined umkhonto wesizwe.
According to his profile, Duma faced and dealt with many dangerous situations in the bush, at some stage rationing limited provisions among many hungry comrades to keep alive. When the ANC was banned, Duma joined and became chairperson of the Umviko Party to fight against the dispossession of land in the Bester area near Mnambithi.
Duma was arrested and became a political prisoner on Robben Island between 1964 and 1974.
Premier Sihle Zikalala described him as “a gallant son of the soil who has left an indelible mark and was part of the generation that pioneered the armed Struggle under the leadership of umkhonto wesizwe”. His death had shocked the nation.
“He was a vociferous opponent of land dispossession, the man who spoke for the voiceless, the despised and the downtrodden. The warrior who invaded shop and factory floors in search of workers’ justice and decent wages.
“He sacrificed his education in order to open doors of education and learning for future generations, as espoused by the Freedom Charter,” Zikalala said.
Duma was said to have used humour as a weapon to lighten the spirits of his comrades on Robben Island.
“We are indeed emboldened that in his lifetime he tasted the fruits of freedom that he tirelessly tilled and toiled for,” said Zikalala.
Alfred Duma local municipality mayor MV Madlala said Duma was a distinguished compatriot.
“I’m glad that we honoured him while he was still alive, based on the decision we took in 2016, when we agreed to the merger of the two municipalities. Emnambithi/ladysmith municipality and Indaka municipality were named the Alfred Duma local municipality in his honour,” Madlala said.