The ANC in the Eastern Cape joins the people of South Africa and the community of Kwezane village in Alice in expressing sincere condolences to the family, friends and comrades of
Cde Archie Sibeko aka Zola Zembe(Cde ZZ) on his passing in Newcastle -UK last week .
Cde Archie Sibeko is one of those comrades who epitomized the Congress Movement. He joined the ANC and SACP underground structures in the early 50’s .
Whilst he was a railway employee he joined the South African Railway and Harbours Workers Union (SARHWU) ,and was a delegate at the founding conference of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) in 1955 .
He was involved in the campaign and ultimately in the adoption of the Freedom Charter in Kliptown .
Cde Sibeko was one of the first volunteers in the Western Cape to join Umkhonto weSizwe.
After receiving military training in the then Soviet Union , he was assigned the task of being one of the first camp commanders at Kongwa near Dodoma in Tanzania .
He was involved in the 1967/8 Wankie and Sipolilo campaign which marked the first direct military encounter between South African -Rhodesian forces and MK -ZIPRA combatants .
In the early 70’s Cde Sibeko was deployed to London to work in SACTU office under the leadership of Cde John Gaetsewe. He mobilized the trade union movement beyond Western Europe to cover Eastern Europe , America ,Australia and New Zealand to support the SA Labour movement towards formation of of COSATU .
On his return from exile he was elected as ANC Western Cape Deputy Chairperson .
Cde Sibeko was a member of SARHWU,rising organically and qualitatively over a period of time in the ranks of the union which elected him as it’s Honorary President.
Cde Archie Sibeko was one of the best calibers that our revolutionary movement has ever produced. He was an embodiment of our revolutionary alliance .
He is an author of five (5) books .Cde Sibeko has won a number of awards in South Africa and the world over .Among these are the Honorary President of SATAWU , a position he held until his death ; Order of Luthuli( in Silver) and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Newcastle in recognition of his selfless dedication to the liberation struggle.
In memory of Cde Sibeko, the ANC will deepen its work to advance and deepen the unity of our alliance .
The ANC send out it’s heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, fellow comrades and the entire Alliance .
May his fighting spirit live on !
Lala kahle qabane .
Funeral details will be forwarded later .
Contact person is Cde Phil Norushe from the ANC Veterans League @ 0822821640 .
Issued by:
ANC EC Communications
Enquiries :
ANC Media & Liaison Officer
Judy Mpetsheni
Mobile No: 0636878267/0731176194
ANC EC Communications Manager
Gift Ngqondi
Mobile No:0848439706/0849519924
