Ladysmith KZN: Liberation struggle icon Mr Alfred Duma sadly passes on
Born in April 1927 in Mnambithi, KwaZulu-Natal, he joined the ANC and the then South African Trade Union (SATU) in 1952
Mr Alfred Duma sadly passed away this morning (February 4).
It is believed that Mr Duma was in hospital and succumbed to illness.
Local municipality spokesperson Siyabonga Maphalala has confirmed Mr Duma’s passing.Â
Born in April 1927 in Mnambithi, KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Duma joined the ANC and the then South African Trade Union (SATU) in 1952. He also joined Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1961 and dealt with dangerous situations.
When the ANC was banned, Duma joined and became chairman of the Umviko Party to fight against the dispossession of land in the Besters area.
His vocal opinions against apartheid led to his arrest and a 10-year prison sentence. He endured great suffering at the hands of security police.
From 1964 to 1974, this liberation struggle icon was a political prisoner on Robben Island, where he learnt to deal with hardship through humour, never losing focus of the fight against apartheid. In 2016, the then Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality officially changed its name to Alfred Duma Local Municipality after a merger with Indaka Municipality.
The Ladysmith Gazette extends its condolences to family and friends of Mr Duma at this trying time.
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