We salute the life of Mogami Josiah Moeng, a stalwart in the liberatory struggle in South Africa, who passed away on Sunday 3 August at the age of 82 years. Known affectionately as Reggie by his comrades, he played an important role in the Society of Young Africa (SOYA) in the 1950s and 60s. He became a member of APDUSA when it was established in 1961 and fought unrelentingly through one of the most difficult periods in our struggle, assisting members who had perforce to leave the country to go into exile. He engaged in this highly risky work without fear for his own being.

In 1971 Reggie was arrested with hundreds of other members of APDUSA allegedly conspiring against the repressive government of the day and underwent severe torture at the hands of the security police. He was tried with eleven others and subsequently sentenced to eight years imprisonment which he served mainly in the notorious Robben Island prison. Was released in 1980 and soon afterwards he set about knitting together members of APDUSA in Soweto and then linked them organisationally with a group of new younger members in greater Johannesburg. He continued with the work of rebuilding the organisation nationally until in the 1990s, a lack of employment and poor health compelled him to resettle in his family home in Mahikeng. Here, he kept in touch with the organisation until his untimely end this month. Reggie will be remembered for his determination and good humour and as an example to our younger members today.