1921-2004
1921-2004
Bernard Molewa was born at Duiwelskloof in the Limpopo province on 15 September 1921. He was the son of Magdalene Selepe and Piet Molewa and the fifth child of nine children.
He completed his primary school education at Medingen Primary School, in Duiwelskloof. He completed his High School education through correspondence with the Union College. He went on to teach at Mohlommeng Primary School in Duiwelskloof.
He moved to Johannesburg in 1943 and settled at Alexandra Township where he participated in the activities of the African National Congress. Bernard became Chairperson of the ANC branch in Alexandra while some members of the ANC in Alexandra Township defected to the Pan Africanist Congress.
After the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1954, he became the Principal of the ANC Cultural Clubs which were actually private schools established in Alexandra by the ANC activists, in defiance of Bantu Education.
Just before the Rivonia Treason Trial, there was the famous Azikhwelwa Campaign in Alexandra.This was a political campaign under the guise of a boycott against the bus-fare hike. He served in the committee that coordinated the Azikhwelwa bus boycott campaign.
Bernard served two terms of detention under the 90-Day Detention without Trial Laws during the years 1959 and 1960. In one of these terms, he had his former mentor, J B Marks as his cellmate.
When Bernard went into exile in 1964, he was on trial for charges under the Suppression of Communism Act. He was also at the time banned and under house arrest.
He settled in Botswana and was granted political asylum by the Bechuanaland Protectorate Government. While in Botswana, Bernard started a successful poultry farming business in Otse, supplying chicken and eggs to surrounding villages. The farm served as a political education centre where the strengthening of ANC structures in the western parts of South Africa was done.
He took up a teaching post at an adult education centre called Capital Continuation Classes. As a committed educationist he played a vital role in motivating the young people who went into exile, encouraging them to embark on studies, with the objective of ensuring that there are educated members of the organisation who will govern the country in future.
In Botswana, Bernard was deeply involved in the underground activities of ANC and SACTU (S.A. Congress of Trade Unions). He survived at least one attempted kidnap by the agents of BOSS (Bureau for State Security).
In the 1980s Bernard felt he was a specific target of the agents of BOSS. This was after a raid into his study room, the removal of some books and documents and a note left behind that read: "We have taken enough to prove that you are a Communist".
He left Botswana for CUBA for political studies where he also achieved a Bachelor's degree in Social Science from Cuba. He later went to Zambia and was later posted to the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) as an accredited Representative of the ANC. He remained there until the fall of the Berlin Wall.
In 1990, he returned home to South Africa. Like many other comrades who spent the rest of their adult lives outside the country, he struggled to make ends meet.
He became the General Secretary of the South African Association of Veterans (SAVE), an organisation set up by Matla Trust to help former exiles.
He was elected into parliament as MP for the ANC where he served in the Justice, Land, Housing and Education Portfolio Committees. He served as MP representing the North West Province for the period 1994 to 2004. He served his Constituency of Moretele with commitment, dedication and diligence. His heart and passion was always with the poorest of the poor.
Bernard was a self-taught man who achieved extensive education in various fields such as Economics, Marxist ideology, Agricultural Best Practices, Land Reform models and just before he died, he had qualified as an Estate Agent.
He has served the nation. For all his selflessness and dedication, his people came first as he responded to their plight. His family and the nation mourn his passing.
May His Soul Rest in Peace...Robala ka Khutso, Mogale wa Bagale
Molewa family would like to thank all that have comforted them during their time of bereavement. May God be with you at all times.
Bernard Molewa passed away on Friday 29 October 2004.