1927 - 1978

10th Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) (1958—1969), Chair of the Orlando Branch of the ANC Youth League, 1956 Treason Trialist

Duma Nokwe was the first African advocate of the Supreme Court of the Transvaal and one of the ANCs leading politicians.

As a young man in Johannesburg he quickly rose through the ranks of the ANC Youth League, becoming national secretary in 1954. After completing his law degree in 1955 he started to practise as an advocate. Pursuing his profession proved difficult, however, as bans made it impossible for him to travel to Pretoria without a permit. The Group Areas Act also denied him an office in the building used by other white advocates. He was an unofficial member of the defence during the 1956 Treason Trial, defending his colleagues while his own practice collapsed. Three years after the trial finished he was instructed by the ANC to go into exile.

As the ANCs Director of International Affairs in Lusaka, Zambia, Nokwe was the public face of his banned organisation for over six years. He was a well-known figure at meetings of the Organisation of African Unity and the United Nations, and his diplomatic skill helped win respect for the ANC overseas. He died in exile and is buried in Lusaka.

Did You Know?

Fellow advocate George Bizos illegally shared his law chambers with Nokwe from 1956 to 1962 as Nokwes application to have his own chambers in His Majestys building, where white advocates worked, was denied. Advocate Joe Slovo, later to become MK chief of staff, also had his chambers in the office towers.