ERIC MOLOBI, a legacy of resolute leadership

255pp., b/w & colour illus., paperback, Juta, Cape Town, 2025

ISBN: 9781485152460

Biography of anti-apartheid activist and businessman Eric Molobi (1945-2006).

Born in Alexandra, Molobi went to school and trained as an electrician in Soweto. He became involved in trade unions activities and spent six years on Robben Island for his political activities in the struggle against apartheid.

After his release in 1981, he was instrumental in the formation of the United Democratic Front. In the 1980s he led a back-to-school campaign through the National Education Crisis Committee, in response to the education crisis in black schools. He was the first director of the Joint Enrichment Programme, an initiative of the South African Council of Churches and the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference.

In 1990, Molobi joined the Kagiso Charitable Trust as CEO, where he was chief negotiator for the South African Partners in the European Union Special Programme for support of the victims of apartheid. He was awarded The Order of the Baobab in Silver for "his abiding commitment to and for developing a unique model of social enterprise in the service of humanity, particularly, the poor and for his commitment to the struggle for a just South Africa."

Financial journalist Gaongalelwe Tiro is the author of Parcel of Death: The biography of Onkgopotse Abram Tiro.