Dr Billy Ndwebisa (1924 - 2009)

Anti-apartheid activist and grahamstown civic Association (Graca) founder Dr Billy Ndwebisa has died. Ndwebisa, affectionately known as “Oom Billy” died on Wednesday last week in Port Elizabeth. He was 86. Oom Billy was one of the founders of the Graca in 1983 with Dan Sandi, Phila Nkayi MP, advocate Ntsiki Sandi, Zalisile Mkontwana and others. He became the organisation’s chairperson until 1990 when he retired from active politics for health reasons. His daughter, Nomasundu Ndwebisa, said her father would be laid to rest on Friday. The funeral service will start at the AME Church in Grahamstown before moving to the Ethiopian Church. He will be buried at the Grahamstown Cemetery in town. She said even though he was old, Oom Billy died unexpectedly. “He wasn’t that sick. He had gone for an eye operation. On Wednesday he was discharged, but he collapsed suddenly. It’s suspected it was a heart attack. He died at the Livingstone Hospital,” said Nomasundu. Long-time friend and comrade Ntsiki Sandi said Ndwebisa started working as a labourer at Rhodes University very early in his career, and later worked in the Department of Physics for many years as a technician. He became chairperson of the Rhodes University Workers’ Association and earned the respect of workers, academics and the university authorities “for his humility, kindness but still being firm on the rights of workers in the institution”. Sandi said at the advent of democracy, Ndwebisa declined to be involved in politics, saying: “We have now achieved what we wanted. I should go home and look after my grandchildren.” During the 1980s he was a leading figure in the Grahamstown consumer boycott struggles and earned the respect of the local business community. He also worked closely with United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders like Qaqawuli Godolozi, Sipho Hashe and Matthew Goniwe. He also gave evidence for the defence in the Delmas treason trial, in which he told the court that apartheid conditions were the root cause of the national unrest in the country and not instigators, as the apartheid regime believed. “He was a perfect example of a leader who led from the front and would not follow the masses from behind. “We would debate and debate with him for the whole night until the early hours of the day strategising how to make things difficult for the apartheid regime,” said Sandi. In 2004 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Rhodes University for his contribution in the development of the community. He is survived by his daughter Nomasundu and three grandchildren.

By Babalo Ndenze, Daily Dispatch, Tuesday, 2 June 2009, p6