Mike studied physics at the University of Birmingham, where he was elected president of the students' union. He had travelled to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to teach in a mission school, where he encountered racism for the first time.
In 1969 he became involved in the Anti-Apartheid movement and was elected National Secretary at NUS, responsible for international policy, when he graduated.
Fighting racism
He later went on to run the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AA) for nearly two decades, playing an important part in changing British and international opinion of South Africa's racially segregated regime.
Once Nelson Mandela had been released from prison, Mike took up a career in teaching, a career he had put on hold to fight racism.
Committed to change in South Africa, he continued to fight for the country right up until his death; he was preparing for a charity run in aid of a South African school project before he died.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to Mike's family. We will always be grateful for the significant contribution he made to an important moment in world history,” says NUS President Wes Streeting.
He is survived by his partner, Monica Shama, Andrew, his son by an earlier relationship, and his mother, Elizabeth.
Read more about Mike's life and career.