Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

In 1906, he, together with other teachers in the Transvaal, formed one of the first teacher unions, the Transvaal African Teachers’ Association (TATA). TATA was a trade union for African teachers and an instrument for the transformation of ‘Native education’ into a non- racial system of universal education for all of South Africa’s children. Makgatho also contributed to the development of TATA’s journal, the Good Shepherd, in 1923, to fight for equal education opportunities for Africans in South Africa. From 1887-1930 he was also an influential Methodist lay preacher.

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Makgatho was a keen student of South African affairs and from the beginning he was opposed to the colonialism of the African continent and understood the threat it posed to the vast natural resources of Africa but also to the freedom, independence and self- determination of her peoples. He made his mark during the first decade of the 20th century as a key figure in the formation of the African Political Union (APU) and the Transvaal Native

Organisation (TNO). From 1906 to 1908 he served as President of APU. APU and TNO merged with the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) in 1912. In the same year he was elected President of SANNC’s Transvaal section, the Transvaal Native Congress (TNA), from 1912 until 1930.

During this period, he became involved in journalism and between 1912 and 1914 he teamed up with Mr Alfred Mangena to establish a political journal, The Native Advocate. From 1914 until 1918 he participated in delegations and petitions to London on behalf of our people.

Makgatho was President-General of the SANNC itself from 1917 until 1924 and worked hard to ensure that the movement remained a key factor in the struggle against segregation. In addition, during Makgatho’s presidency the Transvaal SANNC played a significant role in labour disputes affecting African workers and gave active support to the striking workers. Makgatho also used the courts to challenge legislation that affected and undermined Africans in the urban areas, particularly laws relating to their freedom of movement. But it was the Transvaal Tax provisions that marked Makgatho as a formidable opponent of the state. The SANNC was renamed the African National Congress (ANC) during his tenure. From 1930 until 1933 he was a Senior National Treasurer of the ANC and he continued to be involved in provincial campaigns of the ANC in the Transvaal well into the 1940s. At this stage, aged over 80, Makgatho was still considered one of the leading politicians in the country.