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The South African Communist Party (SACP) expresses its message of heartfelt condolences to the family of Billy Masetlha, South Africa’s ambassador to Algeria. We also convey our message of sincere condolences to the African National Congress, uMkhoto we Sizwe Liberation War Veterans, Congress of South African Students, and the people of South Africa at large. 

Masetlha, 68, passed away on Sunday, 14 May 2023. 

Comrade Billy Masetlha was born in the working-class community of Alexandra, Johannesburg, in 1954. He dedicated much of life, starting as a student and youth activist, to the struggle against apartheid, the struggle for liberation and democratic transformation and development.

Masetlha helped found the Congress of South African Students in 1979. He played a key role in the military pillar of our struggle, graduating from being a student activist and leader, to receiving military training and serving as a member of the joint ANC and SACP liberation army, uMkhonto we Sizwe. 

Masetlha was also active in the underground pillar of our struggle to end apartheid rule and replace it with democracy and a better life for all through democratic transformation and development. 

After our April 1994 democratic breakthrough, he served in different terms as the Director-General of Home Affairs, head of the National Intelligence Agency, a member of the African National Congress National Executive Committee, and an ambassador of South Africa, among others.    

The SACP says, 

“Hamba Kahle Mkhonto”. 

We will pick up the spear. 

The struggle continues. 

Issued by SACP