Born at Robinson Deep, Vesta grew up in Vrededorp until her family was forced to move to Noordegesig, where she became known affectionately as Ma Vee. A courageous opponent of apartheid, she was not cowed by bannings, harassment and imprisonment. Present at the Congress of the People and the Women’s March to Pretoria, Vesta gave shelter to children evading arrest after the Soweto Uprising resulting in her being detained. A founder member of the UDF, she was awarded the Order of the Baobab in Silver in 2008.