In Service of Others
Growing up and becoming
Victor Honey’s life cannot be separated from the quiet way in which he carried himself. He was not someone who placed himself at the centre of attention, and those who knew him often recall that he would have been uncomfortable with a story focused entirely on him. Yet his life, when seen through the experiences of those around him, reveals a consistent pattern of care, responsibility, and a willingness to act when it mattered. His journey from an ordinary member of the church to an active participant in the struggle against apartheid unfolded gradually, shaped by both his upbringing and the environment in which he lived.
He was married to Hester, and together they formed a partnership that reflected shared values of compassion and commitment to others. Their home became a space where people felt able to come for assistance, advice, or simply a place to be received without judgement. This openness was not without risk. On more than one occasion, their willingness to help others placed them in danger. There were incidents where people came to their home under the pretext of needing help and instead robbed them, even assaulting them and leaving them injured. Despite these experiences, Victor and Hester did not withdraw from others. They continued to respond to those who came to their door, holding onto a belief that the act of helping others should not be abandoned because of fear.
Faith and awakening
Victor’s connection to the church played a central role in shaping how he understood the world around him. His involvement in the Methodist Church, first in Woodstock and later in Stellenbosch, was not limited to attendance. He served as a Sunday school teacher and later as a local preacher. Through these roles, he engaged with scripture in ways that went beyond personal belief. The teachings he encountered began to intersect with the realities he observed in society.
As he became more aware of the conditions under apartheid, his understanding of faith began to shift. The separation between spiritual life and social reality became difficult to maintain. The inequalities he witnessed, the experiences of those who were marginalised, and the broader structure of apartheid all stood in contrast to the principles of justice and equality that he encountered in his religious life. This tension became a point of reflection and eventually a point of action.
When he moved to Stellenbosch to work at the university, he continued his involvement in the church, attending services in Ida’s Valley with his family. His children, Marisa, Nathan and Tim, were part of this community as well. The church became not only a place of worship, but also a space where questions about justice, dignity, and responsibility could be considered. For Victor, faith was no longer something that could be held apart from the conditions in which people lived.
Teaching and influence
Victor’s work as an art teacher formed another important part of his life. He began teaching in Woodstock and later taught at institutions such as the PJ Olivier Art School and the Hugo Naudé Art School in Worcester. He eventually spent many years teaching at Stellenbosch University. His approach to teaching extended beyond the technical aspects of art. He encouraged students to think critically, to explore different perspectives, and to see art as a means of engaging with the world around them.
Students who attended his classes often recall the way in which he created space for them to develop their own ideas. He did not impose a single way of thinking, but instead guided them to find their own direction. His teaching involved listening as much as instructing. Outside the classroom, he continued to engage with students, offering guidance and encouragement. The relationships he built with his students were not limited to formal teaching. They were shaped by a genuine interest in their development, both as artists and as individuals.
Through this work, Victor contributed to the formation of a generation of students who carried with them not only artistic skills, but also a sense of awareness about the society in which they lived. His influence was not always visible in immediate ways, but it remained present in the paths taken by those he taught.
A different position
Victor’s involvement in the struggle against apartheid was shaped by his position as a white South African. In a context where apartheid provided privilege and protection to white citizens, his decision to align himself with the struggle carried particular significance. It required a recognition of the inequalities that structured society and a willingness to act in ways that challenged those structures.
He did not approach this position with the intention of leading or speaking over others. Instead, he used his position to support, to assist, and to create space where it was needed. This involved participating in activities, offering practical support, and engaging in conversations that were often uncomfortable. His involvement was not defined by large public gestures, but by consistent actions that reflected his commitment.
Being part of the struggle in this way was not without risk. It meant stepping outside of what was expected and accepted within white communities at the time. It also meant navigating relationships in a context where suspicion and tension were present. Despite this, he remained committed to the work he was involved in.
The safe house
One of the most significant ways in which Victor contributed to the struggle was by opening his home as a safe house. During a time when activists were being monitored, detained, and targeted by the security police, having a place of refuge was crucial. His home became one of those places where individuals could stay, rest, and organise away from the immediate reach of the authorities.
This role required a high level of trust and discretion. Those who came to the house relied on the assurance that their presence would not be exposed. For Victor and his family, this meant living with an awareness of the risks involved. The decision to provide such a space was not taken lightly. It involved not only personal risk, but also risk to his family. Yet the house remained open to those who needed it.
The safe house was not only a physical space. It became a point of connection between people from different backgrounds who were united by a shared goal. Within that space, conversations took place, plans were made, and a sense of solidarity was built. Victor’s role in maintaining this space reflected a commitment that extended beyond words.
A moment of transition
One of the events that Victor often reflected on was the commemoration of the death of Chris Hani. He was involved in organising an event in Stellenbosch to mark this moment. The choice of venue was significant. The event was held in the Student Church on campus, a space historically associated with Afrikaner identity and, by extension, with the structures that had supported apartheid.
Securing this venue required careful negotiation. There were concerns about how the event would be received and whether it would be accepted. The discussions were conducted with caution, recognising the sensitivities involved. Victor played a key role in these negotiations, working to ensure that the event could take place.
The commemoration itself carried symbolic weight. It brought together people in a space that had not previously been associated with such gatherings. It created an opportunity for reflection on the past and consideration of what a different future might look like. For Victor, the event represented a moment in which change, however fragile, became visible.
Working in community
With the transition towards democracy in 1994, new forms of organisation emerged at the local level. In Stellenbosch, this included the formation of a Local Government Forum, which aimed to address the challenges of moving from apartheid structures to more inclusive forms of governance. Victor was selected as the chairperson of this forum.
In this role, he worked with people from different parts of the community, each bringing their own perspectives and concerns. The process was not straightforward. It involved negotiation, disagreement, and the need to find common ground. Victor’s approach was shaped by the same principles that had guided his earlier involvement in the struggle. He focused on inclusion, dialogue, and the possibility of working together despite differences.
His leadership was not about imposing decisions, but about facilitating conversations. The work of the forum contributed to the broader process of transition, even if the outcomes were not always immediate or clear. It formed part of the ongoing effort to reshape local governance in a way that reflected the changes taking place in the country.
Remembering Victor
When Victor Honey is remembered, it is often through the small and consistent actions that defined his life. He was not someone who sought recognition or attention. His contributions were made quietly, through teaching, through opening his home, and through participating in the work of the community.
His life reflects a particular way of being involved in the world. It is not marked by singular dramatic events, but by a steady commitment to others. The choices he made, often in ordinary situations, carried meaning within the context in which he lived. His story forms part of the broader history of Stellenbosch, not as an exception, but as one of the many ways in which people responded to the conditions of their time.
Victor Honey’s life is remembered not through grand statements, but through the traces left in the lives of those he encountered.