Alex struggle icon, Mike Beea dies

Alexandra community activist and struggle icon in the township, the colourful Mike Beea has died at the age of 79.

Beea, a former leader of the Alex Civic Association, which was a break away from the South African National Civics Organisation, passed away on 3 March after a short illness.

He died at his home at about 1pm.

Beea had recently launched a movement to petition for the restoration of the death penalty to deal with what he called ‘the soaring murder rate’ not just in Alexandra but the whole country, saying South Africa was one of the countries with the highest murder rate globally.

The death penalty was abolished with the introduction of the democratic dispensation in the country in 1994. Beea’s call for the return of the death penalty came soon after then Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula released the national crime statistics which revealed unrelenting violent crime, rape and murder of innocent citizens.

Beea will also be remembered as the ‘father figure’ of ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile, whom he harboured in his house for several years while on the run from the then apartheid police for his political activities.

Mashatile developed a friendship with one of Beea’s sons who worked in Mashatile’s office as Gauteng MEC for Housing, and later Economic Development and finally as Premier of Gauteng.

Beea was also the deputy chairperson of the Alexandra Development Forum in 2001 which later changed its name to the Greater Alexandra Development Forum. The forum was charged with liaising with the Alexandra Renewal Project on the improvements and rebuilding of the township.

Beea was also chairman of the board of the Alex FM radio station during its formative years, together with Thabo Mopasi, Willy Lekoloane and the late Thami Sibisi.