Download PDFComrade Oupa Lehulere’s legacy lives on through the many people he influenced. On June 16, 2025, comrades from different organisations across South Africa came together to celebrate his 61st birthday. The celebration was originally planned for June 15, the first day of the winter school, but was moved to June 16 to honour the struggles of youth and communities during apartheid in 1976, struggles that shaped the kind of leader he became.
One comrade shared, “He had the charisma to make people believe in themselves.” Others remembered his passion for sharing ideas and encouraging people to find their purpose.
Lehulere was born on 15 June 1960, in Cape Town, he later attended Fezeka High School in Gugulethu where he became politically active early on. In 1975, he introduced resistance politics after the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. In 1976, he joined the student uprisings against apartheid. Over the years, he took part in many protests, became a student leader in 1980, and was an activist at UCT in 1985.
In the late 1970s, Lehulere was introduced to Marxist theory, which shaped his political thinking. Just a month before his passing, he launched a website that brought together political and theoretical writings spanning over 30 years. He was a dedicated teacher, a generous mentor, and a passionate activist who loved sharing knowledge.
During the celebration, comrades read his obituary and an Albert Einstein document to honour his work. One comrade, Zanele Nomdikinya, shared her thoughts, saying, “If I were to speak about Comrade Lehulere, I would have so much to say.” She remembered how he encouraged people to learn and develop a habit of reading. She also highlighted his role in launching the CHW and organizing 56 clinics across different areas.
Comrade Mondli also spoke about Lehulere, saying it was difficult to talk about his past because of how much he contributed. He described Lehulere as a hardworking and energetic person who always combined theory with practice. He emphasized that Lehulere left behind valuable tools for analysis and was extremely generous. Mondli also pointed out that Lehulere had a deep understanding of subjects like mathematics, politics, and more.
As more comrades shared their stories and memories, it became clear that comrade Oupa’s impact continues to live on through the people he inspired. The birthday celebration was filled with revolutionary songs, honouring a leader who dedicated his life to the struggle. His legacy will continue to inspire future winter school camps, bringing together activists, community developers, and working-class people to learn, network, and share ideas.
This article was submitted as part of the Imbila Yesu publication produced daily for the duration of the Winter School in 2025 (15-19 June 2025). It appeared in Edition 2, released on 17 June 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the author and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
