16 Facts About Fort Calata

Fort Calata was a South African anti-apartheid activist and one of The Cradock Four murdered by the South African police in 1985.

Fort Calata is the grandson of James Calata, one of the founding members of the South African Native National Congress.

Fort Calata started school in 1963 when he went to St James, then proceeded to Macembe Lower Primary and then Nxuba Higher Primary.

Fort Calata joined a band called the Ambassadors in 1972 and became its drummer and guitarist.

Fort Calata met Nomonde Calata in 1974 and they married in 1980.

Fort Calata started work in 1979 at Dimbaza High School in Ciskei.

Fort Calata was arrested in 1980 together with 32 students for his political activities and was detained for a month.

Fort Calata taught Afrikaans and Xhosa for standards 6 and 7 at Sam Xhali Secondary in 1981.

Fort Calata met Matthew Goniwe and they became friends and comrades.

In 1983, the Cradock Youth Association was launched and Fort Calata became its secretary.

Fort Calata was charged with 3 months in prison or a fine of R800.

Fort Calata was then detained on 31 March 1984 together with Matthew Goniwe, Mbulelo Goniwe and Fezile Madoda Jacobs.

Fort Calata was informed on 21 August while in detention that he was dismissed from his teaching post due to violating the Education Act of 1979.

On 26 June 1985, during the celebration of the Freedom Charter, Fort Calata addressed a crowd at Lingelihle community hall.

Fort Calata died of stab wounds to his chest on 27 June 1985 near Bluewater Bay in Port Elizabeth.

At that time, Nomonde Fort Calata was six months pregnant with their daughter, Thumani.