Steven Eli Friedman was born on 31 March 1953 in Johannesburg. In 1971 Friedman began studying at the University of Witwatersrand. While at University, he became involved in the student movement, joining the National Union of South African Students (NUSAS).

Paula Margaret Ensor was born in the early 1950s in Durban, Natal (now KwaZulu Natal).

Stephen Zelwane Nkadimeng was one of the founders and key leaders of Fetakgomo (an organisation of migrant workers and peasantsof Sekhukhuneland).  On the last day of a two and-a-half year jail sentence for holding an illegal meeting, the prison superintendent summoned Nkadimengto his office and asked him to provide the names of those involved in the uprising. After he refused, the Assistant Magistrate took out the banishment order, dated 18 January 1960, and read it to him.

Sondeza Lugogo Mngomezulu, from the Ingwavuma district, Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal], was said to be one of the ringleaders of the unrest that broke out in this area.

Sebitji Frans Matlala’s wife recounted

Saul Simon Nhlapo, from Evaton Township, Vereeniging District, Transvaal [now Gauteng], was considered a “ringleader”and was reportedly:

The man most feared by the inhabitants of the Township”¦.The assaults, arson and murders actually started from the time he took an active part in the management of the Evaton bus boycott, and although he remains in the background, he is in charge of the gangs responsible for assaults, arson and murder and is the most shrewd of ringleaders.

Ras Thomas Mokoka, originally resident at Mabieskraal (Pilansberg), Rustenburg District, [Western] Transvaal [now North West Province] was banished on 19 December 1955 to Driefontein Native Trust Farm, Vryburg, [Western] Transvaal [now North West Province]. 

Mokoka was one of the five members of the Bathlako counsellors, together with Chief Jeremiah Mabe, and he was banished from Mabieskraal to the Driefontein banishment camp. It was claimed that their presence in Mabieskraal was “inimical to the peace, order and good government of the African people living there.”

Nadirshah Ardeshir Cama was born in Bombay in 1870. After passing the Intermediate Examination at the University of Bombay, he worked in the Bombay Port Trust from 1891 to 1895. He came to Durban in 1895 and worked for a few months with Messrs (spelled right?). Dada Abdulla & Co. He moved to Johannesburg early in 1896 and obtained a position in the Post Office. Unlike many other Indians, he remained in the Transvaal during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902.

Shapurji Jivanji Randeria was born at Rander in the Surat district in India in 1880. He arrived in South Africa in 1900. He had passed the senior book-keeping examinations of the London Chamber of Commerce in Bombay prior to his arrival. After arriving in Durban he founded a customs clearing and shipping business. He had a passport issued to him by the British Consul in Zanzibar entitling him to proceed to any British Colony with all rights of British citizenship.