RADIO DOCUMENTARY ON THE LIFE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST – PADDY KEARNEY – WHO PASSED AWAY RECENTLY ON NOVEMBER 23 (2018) AT THE AGE OF 76

(PADDY KEARNEY (CENTRE) WITH BISHOP EMERITUS RUBIN PHILIP AND STRUGGLE VETERAN, SWAMINATHAN GOUNDEN, AT A FUNCTION HELD FOR THE LATE STRUGGLE STALWART, MEWA RAMGOBIN.) Paddy Kearney, who was born in Pietermaritzburg in August 1942, was one of the activists who worked with churches to promote the struggle against apartheid and the concept of a non-racial and democratic South Africa. Kearney, who was the Director of the Diakonia Council of Churches for 28 years, was one of the “behind the scenes” activists who contributed enormously to the struggles against apartheid and white minority rule. Veteran journalist, Subry Govender, who befriended the social activist since the early 1970s, compiled this radio documentary in 2008 on the life of Kearney. When the interview was conducted, Kearney had just published his book, Guardian of Light, on the life of the late anti-apartheid leader, Catholic Arcbishop of Durban, Denis Hurley. At the time of his death he was chairperson of the Denis Hurley Centre Trust. The struggle activist was bestowed with a memorial service by the provincial KwaZulu-Natal Government at the Durban City Hall on Thursday, November 29. The function was held under the theme: “Celebrating the life and work of Paddy Kearney” and was addressed, among others, by the Premier of the KwaZulu-Natal province – Mr Willie Mchunu – and former Anglican leader and former chairperson of Diakonia, Bishop Emeritus Rubin Philip. This radio package (BY SUBRY GOVENDER )-

is being published on internet as a tribute to Kearney for his self-less contributions to the promotion of a non-racial, just and democratic South Africa.