Mapetla Mohapi

Mapetla Mohapi (1947 - 1976) was a member of the Black Consciousness Movement who died in detention during Apartheid.^[1][2] He became the permanent Secretary of the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) while studying at the University of the North (Turfloop).^[2] Mapetla was one of the early leaders of the Black Consciousness Movement along with Steve Biko.

Early Life and Education

Mapetla was born in Jozanashoek in Sterkspruit in the Eastern Province on 2 September 1947 and graduated in the early 1970s with a degree in Social Work.^[2] He became involved in the Black Consciousness Movement while studying at the University of the North.^[2]

Anti-Apartheid Activity

Mapetla was detained for the first time, along with other leaders of SASO after taking part in pro-FRELIMO rallies in October 1974.^[2] In April 1975 he was released without charge.^[2] He married Nohle in 1973, and was detained again for eight months in 1974 while they were expecting their daughter.^[2]

Mapetla was elected as permanent Secretary of SASO and served as an administrator of a trust that took care of ex-political prisoners and their families.^[2] Three months after becoming Secretary, he was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act and was confined to Zwelitsha and King William’s Town.^[2]

Death in Detention

On 16 July 1976 Mapetla was detained for the last time under the Terrorism Act.^[3] He died in police custody on 5 August 1976.^[2] He was found hanging from a pair of jeans from the bars in his police cell, and police claimed he had committed suicide.^[3] They claimed that a suicide note had been found in his cell, which read: “This is just to say goodbye to you. You can carry on interrogating my dead body. Perhaps you will get what you want from it. Your friend, Mapetla”.^[3]

His widow later sued the Minister of Police and claimed that the Security Police had caused her husband’s death.^[3] A handwriting expert confirmed that the note had been forged, however no one was held responsible for Mapetla’s death.^[2]

On 15 April 1996, Nohle Mohapi became the first person to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa. ^[4] She told the commission that she wanted them to establish the true cause of her husband's death. ^[5]

Order of Luthuli and memorial

On 16 June 2004, Mapetla Mohapi was awarded The Order of Luthuli in Silver by the South African Government for “dedicating his life to the struggle for a democratic, free and non-racial South Africa”.^[6] On 20 April 2002 the Mapetla Mohapi Memorial was unveiled in Sterkspruit^[1]

Family

visit the below link to see Mapetla's family tree ^[7]

References