Veteran journalist and author, Terry Bell dies at 84

The legendary South African author, labour commentator, journalist and political activist, Terry Bell, has died of an illness at the age of 84 in Cape Town.

His family confirmed the sad news on Wednesday.

Bell’s journalistic career began in the 1960s, working for several publications under the Amalgamated Press banner, later joining the Rand Daily Mail, Sunday Times and Sunday Express.

His political activism dates to his young adult life when he was recruited for underground operations by the late African National Congress (ANC) member, Joe Gqabi.

Family spokesperson, Kgomotso Matsunyane, says, “The family of Terry Bell are sad to announce his passing this morning (Wednesday) while on a family holiday trip with his daughter and his son-in-law. Terry Bell was an anti-apartheid activist and writer who was a former political detainee who spent 27 yrs in exile. He and his wife, who died last year in June, established the anti-apartheid movement in New Zealand in 1972, and they were both teachers at SAMAFO in Tanzania. He was a regular commentator on issues of labour in SA media, always with a deep empathy for marginalised communities.”

Matsunyane adds, “His relentless Pro-Palestine reports got him banned on Facebook, but he continued writing about the issues tirelessly on his blog. More details about his funeral will be made available in the next few days.”