Manuel hails late struggle icon Bloch as a mentor for many students Bloch passed away earlier on Friday after a long illness. A screenshot of anti-apartheid activist Graeme Bloch. Picture: SABC Digital News/YouTube one day ago CAPE TOWN - Former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has described struggle icon and education specialist, Graeme Bloch, as a mentor for many student leaders. Bloch passed away earlier on Friday after a long illness. Manual said South Africa had lost a lifelong activist, adding that Bloch truly loved his country and fought for equal education from a young age. “Graeme became an activist at high school, he was part of the national youth action in the unfashionable days of 1972.”