President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness over the death of Leon Levy, the last surviving signatory of the Freedom Charter and Accused No. 4 in the 1956 Treason Trial. Levy, 96, passed away on Saturday in Cape Town.
A committed activist, Levy was a member of both the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) and the Communist Party of South Africa. He and his brother, Norman Levy, were arrested in 1956 and charged with treason for their role in the struggle against apartheid.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said, “President Ramaphosa finds the passing of Leon Levy a profoundly sad moment. It is particularly sorrowful for South Africans who gained freedom from apartheid through the dedication and sacrifice of Leon Levy and his contemporaries, including his brother, Norman. His generation’s contributions to a better life for all South Africans and humanity must never be forgotten or dishonoured.”
Levy’s death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in South Africa’s liberation history, leaving behind a legacy of courage and unwavering commitment to justice.