La Guma's vivid style, distinctive dialogue, and realistic, sympathetic portrayal of oppressed groups have made him one of the most notable South African writers of the 20th century.
He was the son of James La Guma,[2] a leading figure in both the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union and the South African Communist Party.
La Guma stood against the leader of the African People's Organisation, Dr Abdullah Abdurahman, for a seat on the City Council in September 1939, but was beaten by 1083 votes to 263.
"[5] In 1956, he helped organise the South Africa representatives who drew up the Freedom Charter, and consequently he was one of the 156 accused at the Treason Trials that same year.
He was chief representative of the African National Congress in the Caribbean at the time of his death from a heart attack in Havana, Cuba, on 11 October 1985.