Mtetunzima Ganyile, from Amanikwe Location, Bizana District, [Eastern Province, now Eastern Cape] was described in the motivation for his banishment as one of the leaders of the Pondoland revolt and ‘a strong supporter of the banned ANC [African National Congress].’
It was claimed that he planned and spoke at illegal meetings and constantly attempted to recruit people. At the time that his banishment order was issued in 17 October 1960, he was already sentenced to 21 months in prison for arson, but had appealed and was awaiting trial. Hewas banished on release from jail in 1962.
In 1965, on the grounds that Frenchdale Native Trust Farm, Mafeking District, [Northern Cape, now North-West Province] was needed for people to be removed from the ‘swartkolle’ Doornbult and Vergenoeg in the Mafeking district, a new order was issued for banishment to Ewbank Trust farm in the Kuruman district, [Northern Cape].
He escaped into exile in Botswana.
Mtetunzima Ganyile’s order was withdrawn on 12 November 1971.
• Contribution by Professor S. Badat, Rhodes University, 2012. From the book, Forgotten People - Political Banishment under Apartheid by Professor S. Badat