Boy Seopa was 18 years old when he was banished on 21 July 1953 from his original residence at Matlala's Location, Pietersburg District, Northern Transvaal [now Polokwane, Limpopo Province] to Tabaans Location (Louis Trichardt [Makhado]), Sibasa District, [Tshivhase], Northern Transvaalwith his mother, Maphuti Seopa. He left his place of banishment to work in Johannesburg, noting that, ‘No one gave me permission to leave Davhana to work in Johannesburg. I forced my way out after I complained about the £1.10 that I was earning at the agricultural offices.’
In Johannesburg, Seopa earned four times what he received in Davhana. Although his mother was confronted by the Native commissioner (NC) about his ‘disappearance from the area without permission,’ his employment in Johannesburg was condoned after his mother provided the details of his employer and his whereabouts. In any event, he ‘sent money for food and other household necessities through the post office’ and‘always joined the family at Davhana during the holidays such as Good Friday, Christmas and New Year.’
There was also support provided directly by Helen Joseph. According to Boy Seopa, Joseph wrote to him and met with him at her offices. She ‘volunteered to give me money to augment my salary and grocery to take home.’ He collected usually £5 9 approximately R10) from ‘(Amina) Cachalia as and when the need arose.’
His banishment order was withdrawn, along with his mother and sister's on 9 February 1966.
Contribution by Professor S. Badat, on Banishment, Rhodes University, 2012