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The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) wishes to express its sincere condolences to the friends and family of struggle and education activist, Graeme Bloch. He passed away earlier today.

SADTU will remember Bloch as a fighter for the principles the Union also stands for – a non-racial, non-sexist and unitary quality public education system for South Africa. A fighter against racial oppression and inequality, Bloch fully understood the role of education as a liberator.  As a student at the University of the Western Cape, Bloch became involved in political activism as a member of the United Democratic Front (UDF), National Education Crisis Committee (NECC) as well at the Joint Education Trust in the 80s and early 90s.

He was detained, banned and beaten by the apartheid government but never lost sight of fighting for a truly non-racial South Africa. After the dawn of democracy, Bloch used his knowledge as a lecturer, professor and education policy expert to contribute towards building a free quality public education system in South Africa. 

 Bloch was never shy to raise his voice when he saw a deviation from the goal of an equal and just South Africa. This is evidenced in his book, The Toxic Mix: What’s wrong with South Africa’s Schools and how to fix it wherein he highlighted the factors causing the crisis in our schools. He pointed at the government and teachers for not performing as they should. A true patriot, Bloch not only highlighted the crisis, he also offered solutions on how to turn the situation around.

May his soul rest in peace.

Issued by SADTU