David Webster Park is opened

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05 May 2009

DAVID WEBSTER'S memory will live on in his home suburb, Troyeville - Bloemenhof Park is now David Webster Park.

"Long live the spirit of the late Dr David Webster! Long live! Amandla!" said the member of the mayoral committee for community development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, at the renaming on Friday, 1 May.

Webster, in the prime of his life at 44, was shot dead outside his home in the suburb 20 years ago, on Workers' Day, 1 May 1989. A mosaic plaque, reading "David Webster 1945-1989 Assassinated in Troyeville for his fight against apartheid - lived for justice, peace and friendship", was unveiled at the renaming.

Under grey skies and spitting rain – considered a blessing in Africa – a distinguished crowd of about 100 people gathered in memory of the University of the Witwatersrand academic and anti-apartheid activist, in a ceremony organised by Johannesburg City Parks.

Executive Mayor Amos Masondo; Minister of Health Barbara Hogan; Robben Island inmate and great friend of Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada; the provincial MEC for safety and security, Firoz Cachalia; and City councillors of transport and the environment, Rehana Moosajee and Prema Naidoo, all took their seats under large canvas umbrellas.

Students and colleagues

Two former students of Webster, singer Johnny Clegg and runner Bruce Fordyce, and his partner, Maggie Friedman, were there too. Members of the Detainees' Parents Support Committee (DPSC) and the United Democratic Front also attended the function. Webster was a member of both organisations.

Mayathula-Khoza said that at the beginning of the year Naidoo had suggested that the park be dedicated to Webster, a suggestion that was warmly welcomed by the mayoral committee.

"We dedicate this park with sports facilities to the late stalwart, a brother, a son of the soil, a tea party host, and a great lecturer," said Mayathula-Khoza, "We want to remember a great life."

Webster used to pour tea at the monthly DPSC gatherings. He monitored patterns of repression through the committee, and gave advice and comfort to parents of detainees. He also worked to ease the discomfort of detainees by sending them educational material and track suits.

He worked, too, on the Free the Children campaign, calling on the apartheid government to stop detaining children. He also initiated a "running shoes campaign" in which well-known figures like Fordyce and Clegg would sign their running shoes and donate them to political detainees.

"He worked relentlessly against human rights abuses. He lived his respect for human dignity," wrote Terry Sacco of the DPSC in the programme brochure. "He had a depth of understanding and a nobility of mind. He had wisdom and integrity, an infectious sense of fun and humour and loved peace."

Moving tribute

Clegg took the podium to give a moving tribute. First a student of Webster's, he became a colleague, eventually teaching alongside Webster at Wits for three years. Clegg spoke of Webster's "strong sense of conviction" and "his persuasive powers" – he would corner you and gently but firmly tell you he would see you at a book launch.

"He loved all forms of culture – a play at the Market Theatre, an exhibition. And he would make sure all the key people would be there."

A dancer as well as a singer, Clegg said he took Webster to the Jeppe Hostel and introduced him to the dance culture among migrant workers. "In two to three months he started telling me things about them."

Webster was a multi-layered person and a gentle soul. "He was on a lone path to facilitate and bring people together. He was an incredibly generous person."

Caroline Taylor, a lecturer at the anthropology department at Wits, read several letters from Webster's former colleagues. She said that she had been in the department for 19 years and his influence was ongoing at the university.

Honoured and humbled

Masondo gave the keynote address. "In the council we feel humbled by the fact that the Webster family has agreed to have their prestigious name associated with that of the City of Johannesburg."

He said he was proud to be part of the ceremony in honouring Webster. "Comrade David Webster's great strength was seeing himself beyond his membership of a particular organisation. His vision was always broad. For him dedication to a new, transformed South Africa meant all progressive organisations and individuals were important."

While the mayor spoke, the gentle whine of a solitary swing moving back and forth could be heard. A child, oblivious to the solemn occasion, was enjoying a ride on the park's refurbished play equipment. The clouds had begun to clear and blue sky was visible. Throughout the ceremony local children had been playing volleyball and basketball on the courts behind the podium and their occasional shouts could be heard.

In between the speeches dancers from Moving Into Dance Mophatong took to the small stage. They were dressed in 1950s' two-tone shoes and waistcoats, and jived happily on the stage. The crowd were briefly lifted out of the sombre tone of the morning by the music. Friedman said that Webster had loved to jive.

After the formal speeches, she recounted a story about life with Webster, telling of the 2am distressing phone calls, where nothing was said; of taking in anti-apartheid activists; of living with strangers and making them feel welcome; of accommodating yourself to people living in your home who were traumatised after spending time in jail.

She spoke of how the first 10 years after his death were intensely stressful. "I came to know many wonderful people who I wouldn't have known if it weren't for this disaster," she said. "I want to thank my close friends who live around here."

The sun had broken through the clouds and the cluster of jacarandas under which the ceremony had taken place offered shade. The mood was restful - the formalities were over, but people lingered, reluctant to leave a place that had taken on special significance, a place of commemoration of Webster.

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