The David Webster House is at 13 Eleanor Street in

Troyeville Troyeville is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a small suburb found on the eastern edge of the Johannesburg central business district (CBD), with the suburbs of New Doornfontein, Bertrams and Lorentzville to the north, Fairview to ...

and it is important not only because this is where the anti-apartheid activist David Webster lived but it is also where he was killed by a government assassin. The house is still in private ownership but it is decorated to commemorate his life.

History

David Webster was a

Zambia Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its most central point. Its neighbours are ...

n who came to South Africa to study and to become an anthropologist. Whilst he was in South Africa his friend

Neil Aggett Neil Aggett (6 October 1953 – 5 February 1982) was a doctor and trade union organiser who was killed, while in detention, by the Security Branch of the Apartheid South African Police Service after being held for 70 days without trial. Life a ...

was killed whilst in police custody. Webster formed the Detainees Parent Support Committee. He also joined the United Democratic Front and other anti-apartheid organisations. This activism was compounded when he witnessed the authorities covertly smuggling weapons into the country from

Mozambique Mozambique (), officially the Republic of Mozambique ( pt, Moçambique or , ; ny, Mozambiki; sw, Msumbiji; ts, Muzambhiki), is a country located in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Mala ...

. He set up house at 13 Eleanor Street where he lived with his partner Maggie Friedman. David-Webster-JP-1

When Webster returned from shopping on 1 May 1989 he was killed by Ferdi Barnard with a shotgun under a contract from the government sponsored covert Civil Co-operation Bureau. Barnard was caught in 1998 and sentenced to life sentences and 63 years."Ferdi Barnard is found guilty of killing Webster"
sahistory.org.za With the permission of the current owners the house has been decorated with designs made from tiles under the artistic guidance of Ilse Pahl, but the work has been done by a community of his friends. The design includes an outline of his daughter's hand, outstretched hands of friendship, local cattle and a football stadium. The message reads: :"David Webster 19 Dec 1945 – 1 May 1989. Assassinated here for his fight against apartheid. Lived for justice, peace and friendship". In 2012 the house was granted heritage status.

References

{{coord, 26, 12, 1, S, 28, 4, 24, E, region:ZA, display=title Houses in Johannesburg Heritage Buildings in Johannesburg