Not only was Don my compatriot but also a most reliable friend with whom I closely worked to support lesser known political groups engaged in the struggle to rid South Africa of apartheid. During the 1980s, together with his partner Margaret and Dr Vukile Mdingi, we co-edited a newsletter Azania Frontline and a theoretical journal Azania Worker. The former was aimed at the international solidarity movement against apartheid and reported on political activity taking place inside South Africa; and the latter was aimed to stimulate debate among political activists inside South Africa. Don contributed either unsigned articles or used the nom de plume Joe Gwala.

Active also on issues not directly linked to the liberation struggle in South Africa, he was a co-founder of two organisations in Britain: Sarbarr Bookshop which was also an advice centre to the black community, and the Black Trade Unionists Solidarity Movement.

Sarbarr Bookshop opened in Brixton, London, in the 1970s. Run first from 121 Railton Road it later moved to 378 Coldharbour Lane. Its dominant mission was to bring writing by black writers, in particular novels, poetry and children’s books, to the notice of the general public and so give exposure to writing that was otherwise marginalised at that time.

The Black Trade Unionists Solidarity Movement, amongst whose cofounders was Bernie Grant, later an MP following a campaign by what was then known as the Black Sections of the Labour Party, existed during the early 1980s, was a caucus of black members of various British trade unions. Their objective was to represent the interests of black workers and act as a pressure group to highlight and fight issues such as racism and racial discrimination which existed not only on the shopfloor but also within the grassroots of the trade unions at the time.

So wherever there was oppression of people as in South Africa or a racial minority whose concerns were not heeded, Don always unequivocally and actively stood on the side of the victims.