Cape Town activist and teacher Roland Jethro has died after a battle with cancer.

Jethro, 58, died at home in Pelican Park on Sunday morning.

Born in Genadendal, but educated in Cape Town and Durban, he was involved in many different initiatives and was a founding member of the United Democratic Front.

He also taught at schools in Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park and Gugulethu.

Friend, Ryland Fisher, said Jethro was involved in the banned ANC and uMkhonto weSizwe. 

His involvement in other activities included the following:

- He was a founder member of the Hanover Park Foundation, providing tertiary education bursaries.

- He was a co-founder and chairperson of the School Environmental Education Project.

- He was chairperson of the Western Province Schools Cross-Country Association.

"He was also an active member of the Western Province Mountain Club... a keen angler and was fluent in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa. He loved children and the people of Hanover Park," said Fisher.

A memorial is expected to be held for Jethro at Belgravia High School at 19:00 on Wednesday. His funeral is expected to be held at 09:00 on Saturday at Groenvlei High School in Lansdowne.

In lieu of flowers, his widow Rosie has asked people to make contributions to the Hanover Park Foundation.