Vuyisile Mini

Vuyisile Mini was a famous South African composer born in 1920 and grew up in Port Elizabeth. Mini was an influential organizer during the apartheid resistance. He was known for his protest songs during apartheid. Many that were opposed to apartheid laws used music as a weapon. Mini’s father was a dock worker in Port Elizabeth, active in labour and struggles. This inspired him at age 17 to participate in bus flares and protests. Later on, he worked as a labourer and trade union organizer.
Mini was known as the, “organizer of the unorganized,” because of how fearless he was and how hard working he was to organize workers across the Eastern Cape during the 1950’s. He eventually became the Metal Workers’ Union Secretary in the 1960’s. Mini was the founder of one of the longest protest for a wage increase in the 1950’s. It was called, Port Elizabeth Stevedoring and Dockworkers Union and they fought against the use of convicts as cheap scab labor.
In 1951, Mini’s militant political began when he joined the African National Congress (ANC). In 1952, he went to jail for three months in Rool Hel (“red hell”) for participating in the “Campaign of Defiance against unjust laws.” Once he was released, he was elected secretary of the ANC cape region.
Other than being an influential organizer, he was a very talented dancer and singer. He was a member of many groups including the P.E Male Voice Choir. His songs were either in a very powerful, forceful voice or it was very sentimental. His most popular song is called, “Ndodemnyama we Verwoerd,” which in english means, “watch out, Verwoerd.” This song was commonly used to protest the apartheid laws. Hendrik Verwoerd was a prime minister of South Africa from 1958 until his death in 1966. He was known as, “the architect of apartheid,” because he played a huge rule in the implementation of the apartheid laws. The song was written in a fun way sending out a message to Verwoerd. Mini was telling Verwoerd to watch out because his time was going to end and that change was soon to come in South Africa.
In 1961, Mini was one of the first groups to be recruited in MK and became the member of the Eastern Cape High Command. Mini was arrested on May 10th,1963 along with Wilson Khayinga and Zinakile Mkaba who were ANC members. They were charged with 17 counts of sabotage, political crime, and including complicity in January 1963, death of Sipho Mange, a police officer. They were all sentenced to death in March 1964. They were offered to live if they provided information about sabotage activity in their area and of course, Mini refused to provide any information. Mini and the two ANC members were hanged in the Pretoria Central Prison on November 6th, 1964. Mini was secretly buried in a pauper’s grave at Rebecca street Cemetery in Pretoria and had a heroes funeral in Port Elizabeth. He left behind a wife and six children. Mini’s famous song that gave everyone hope was sung after his death and is still played today. Mini influenced everyone and provided hope to everyone. He was a leader to many protests and gave everyone strength through music which was very powerful. I think Mini was a very hardworking person and tried his best to get through apartheid. I learned that one person can really make a difference and that Mini has accomplished many things that is very impressive. I like how Mini used music as a weapon against apartheid. I suggest that everyone listen to his famous song, "Ndodemnyama we Verwoerd." - Jessica R. (2A) Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYwgmOxhUvk Bibliography: "Vuyisile Mini | South African History Online." Vuyisile Mini | South African History Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013."Vuyisile Mini Biography." Vuyisile Mini Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.