Zollie Malindi
Encyclopedia
Zollie Malindi was a South Africa
n trade union
ist and anti-apartheid
activist. His life journey started in the small village of Gqogqora, near Tsomo in the former Transkei
. While growing up, Zollie became aware of racial segregation. Years later, after completing his Teaching Training Diploma, he set off to look for work in Cape Town; but in those days it was not easy for an African male to find employment even with a professional's qualification. Zollie became actively involved in the African National Party
(ANC) and the South African Communist Party
(SACP) in the 1940s. As members of the ANC were encouraged to join unions, in no time, Zollie joined the Food and Canning Workers Union (FAWU) where he met political leaders like Oscar Mpetha and Ray Alexander
. Zollie was a dedicated man and a powerful leader with a commanding presence and a high degree of responsibility. At the time of the ANC’s banning in 1960, Malindi was the Western Cape Provincial President. Following the passage of the 90-day detention laws in 1963, Malindi was arrested and detained together with Looksmart Ngudle, who was the first person to die in detention . In the years after his detention, Zollie became even more involved in the fight against apartheid and subsequently became a mentor to the younger generation of political activists that included well-known political figures such as former Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel
. After the 1994 elections, Zollie continued working as a member of the ANC, but his declining health forced him to retire alongside his wife, activist Letitia Malindi. A day after his death in 2008, Zollie Malindi was awarded the Order of Luthuli
by former South African president Thabo Mbekhi in recognition of his contribution to the trade union movement.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
ist and anti-apartheid
Anti-apartheid
Anti-apartheid may refer to any opposition to the former South African apartheid policy. More specifically, it may refer to:* Anti-Apartheid Movement, British organisation* The internal resistance to South African apartheid within South Africa...
activist. His life journey started in the small village of Gqogqora, near Tsomo in the former Transkei
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
. While growing up, Zollie became aware of racial segregation. Years later, after completing his Teaching Training Diploma, he set off to look for work in Cape Town; but in those days it was not easy for an African male to find employment even with a professional's qualification. Zollie became actively involved in the African National Party
African National Party
African National Party was a political party in Chad. PNA was founded on January 30, 1960, through the merger remnants of four parties based in the Muslim-dominated northern Chad; African Socialist Movement, Chadian Social Action, Independent Democratic Union of Chad and Grouping of Rural and...
(ANC) and the South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party is a political party in South Africa. It was founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa by the joining together of the International Socialist League and others under the leadership of Willam H...
(SACP) in the 1940s. As members of the ANC were encouraged to join unions, in no time, Zollie joined the Food and Canning Workers Union (FAWU) where he met political leaders like Oscar Mpetha and Ray Alexander
Ray Alexander
Vernest Raynard Alexander is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. He also played eight seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He played college football at Florida A&M University.-References:...
. Zollie was a dedicated man and a powerful leader with a commanding presence and a high degree of responsibility. At the time of the ANC’s banning in 1960, Malindi was the Western Cape Provincial President. Following the passage of the 90-day detention laws in 1963, Malindi was arrested and detained together with Looksmart Ngudle, who was the first person to die in detention . In the years after his detention, Zollie became even more involved in the fight against apartheid and subsequently became a mentor to the younger generation of political activists that included well-known political figures such as former Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel
Trevor Manuel
Trevor Andrew Manuel is a South African politician, currently serving in the Cabinet of South Africa as Minister in the Presidency in charge of the National Planning Commission...
. After the 1994 elections, Zollie continued working as a member of the ANC, but his declining health forced him to retire alongside his wife, activist Letitia Malindi. A day after his death in 2008, Zollie Malindi was awarded the Order of Luthuli
Order of Luthuli
The Order of Luthuli is a South African honour. It was instituted on 30 November 2003, and is granted by the president of South Africa, for contributions to South Africa in the following fields: the struggle for democracy, building democracy and human rights, nation-building, justice and...
by former South African president Thabo Mbekhi in recognition of his contribution to the trade union movement.