April 10th, 2009
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Interview with Mr. Moses Twebe
Click here to download the transcript of this interview.
General Topic of Interview:Resistance to Apartheid
Dates: 13 August, 2008
Location: Dimbaza Location, King William’s Town, South Africa
Narrator: Mr. Moses Twebe
Interviewer: Phumza Williams
Transcriber: Phumza Williams
Translator: Phumza Williams
Biographical Information:
Mr. Moses Twebe was born in 1922 in Addelaide where he was raised by his grandfather. He was never able to go to school, instead working in the fields of farms in Addelaide. He worked in Johannesburg 1942-45. Mr. Twebe was arrested many times for his anti-apartheid activities, was once banned, and also spent a five-year term in Robben Island Prison beginning in 1963. He currently lives in Dimbaza Location.
Interview Information:
Mr. Twebe discusses his life history and biographical information. He details the construction of the Moses Twebe Community Hall in Dimbaza Location, named after him and constructed just before he was released from Robben Island Prison. He describes the differences between apartheid- and post-apartheid Dimbaza and the poverty caused when the factories in the area left. He tells of his interaction with Steve Biko after Tewebe returned from prison: at his request, Biko procured a truck an a concrete mixer for Twebe so that he could make bricks. Unfortunately, both truck and mixer were taken away from Twebe the next time he was arrested. Mr. Twebe also suggests that South African youth need to be taught not to discriminate against South African whites.