David Webster House
David Webster House | |
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General information | |
Address | 13 Eleanor Street |
Town or city | Troyeville, Johannesburg |
Country | South Africa |
The David Webster House is at 13 Eleanor Street in Troyeville and it is important not only because this is where the anti-apartheid activist David Webster lived but it is also where he was killed by a government assassin. The house is still in private ownership but it is decorated to commemorate his life.
History[]
David Webster was a Zambian who came to South Africa to study and to become an anthropologist. Whilst he was in South Africa his friend Neil Aggett has killed whilst in police custody.[1] Webster formed the . He also joined the United Democratic Front and other anti-apartheid organisations. This activism was compounded when he witnessed the authorities covertly smuggling weapons into the country from Mozambique.[2] He set up house at 13 Eleanor Street where he lived with his partner Maggie Friedman.
When Webster returned from shopping on 1 May 1989 he was killed by Ferdi Barnard with a shotgun under a contract from the government sponsored covert Civil Co-operation Bureau. Barnard was caught in 1998 and sentenced to life sentences and 63 years.[3]
With the permission of the current owners the house has been decorated with designs made from tiles under the artistic guidance of , but the work has been done by a community of his friends. The design includes an outline of his daughter's hand, outstretched hands of friendship, local cattle and a football stadium.[2] The message reads:
- "David Webster 19 Dec 1945 – 1 May 1989. Assassinated here for his fight against apartheid. Lived for justice, peace and friendship". In 2012 the house was granted heritage status. [2]
References[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to David Webster House. |
- ^ Dr Neil Aggett Archived 2 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine, FAWU Tribute, accessed July 2013
- ^ a b c "Webster's house now a heritage site". The Star. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ "Ferdi Barnard is found guilty of killing Webster", sahistory.org.za
- Buildings and structures in Johannesburg
- Heritage Buildings in Johannesburg