At the age of 16 she found work as a domestic worker after being forced to drop out of standard six at Kensington High School. After joining the ANC in 1954 she steadily matured as a leading anti-apartheid struggle activist in the Western Cape. Most of her fight focussed on the inequalities in the education system and she dedicated years of her life to the fight against Bantu Education. The pinnacle of this fight was her activism during the 1976 uprisings.
“Some of the students of 1976 are part of this audience and others are working at this university. I am so proud of the 1976 generation,” she says.
Lesiea told the audience that the Honorary Doctorate was a dream come true.
“I am receiving this award on behalf of those who traveled that road of sacrifice, discipline and commitment in the struggle for a free and just society,” she said.
Lesiea says her duty was now to pass the baton on to a younger generation to continue to eradicate poverty, unemployment and inequality.
“Of critical importance is that the youth forms a major part of this nation. It is our responsibility to inculcate in them a sense of patriotism, pride, equality and responsibility. They are our future.”
Leseia was honoured for her lifelong commitment to a democratic South Africa.
