10 Facts About Harry Gwala

Themba Harry Gwala was an anti-apartheid activist and a leader of the African National Congress and South African Communist Party in South Africa.

Harry Gwala trained as a teacher at Adams College and taught at Slangspruit where his students included Moses Mabhida.

In 1942, Gwala joined the Communist Party of South Africa, and in 1944 joined the ANC, and moved into trade union organisation in the chemical, construction, and rubber industries.

Harry Gwala was among the organisers of a national stay-away in 1950, and was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act.

Harry Gwala was released in 1972, after eight years, but restricted to Pietermaritzburg by a banning order.

In 1975, Harry Gwala was arrested again, this time sentenced to life imprisonment under the Terrorism Act.

Harry Gwala's declining health was a major factor in his release from prison in November 1988.

Harry Gwala was seen by his detractors as a warlord because of his incitement of violence in the conflict between the ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that Harry Gwala "functioned as a self-styled ANC warlord", and that, "in calling for the killing of persons opposed to the ANC, Harry Gwala incited his supporters to commit gross violations of human rights".

Harry Gwala died in June 1995 in hospital after suffering a heart attack.