Former South African YCW leader, Phelelo Magane, who was arrested and imprisoned for six months under the apartheid regime, has died.
His death came just two weeks after that of his wife, Irene.
“Phelelo Magane was the face of the International Young Christian Workers campaign to free more than 30 YCWs arrested by the Apartheid police and incarcerated, some for up to to 6 months in 1978 and some like him in solitary confinement after raids on the YCW throughout South Africa,” wrote former IYCW president, Moses Cloete in a post on Facebook.
“This after the YCW staged 1st May rallies in 1978 long before 1st May became a public holiday in South Africa. They reconstructed the YCW on their release with great courage,” Moses wrote.
“It is with great sadness that we learnt today, that Pelelo Magane passed away.
“Phelelo was a great servant to the young workers and the working class and served on the YCW National Committee, as National President in the late 70s and early 80s. Later was in the Movement for Christian Workers and worked for what is now Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union-CEPPWAWU,” Moses added.
Phelelo’s funderal service took place on Saturday, 5 May 2018.
RIP Hambe Kahle Pelelo
