OUR RICH HISTORY - MANDELA LAUDS ROLE OF INDIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA 14 DAYS AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM LIFE IMPRISONMENT ON FEB 11 1990

 

Soon after his release from life imprisonment on February 11 1990, Nelson Mandela, the leader of the African National Congress and the first democratic president of the new South Africa,  embarked on a tour of the country to address the people.

He addressed rallies in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and other parts of the country in order to promote unity and condemn the violence that wreaked havoc in KwaZulu-Natal and certain parts of Johannesburg.

In the Durban area, certain reactionary forces also went about promoting racial hatred in response to Mandela’s release.

Only two days after his release, certain elements started to distribute in the then Natal province a scurrilous pamphlet against people of Indian-origin. The pamphlets made unfounded allegations in what appeared to be an attempt to promote racial strife.

Mandela, when addressing several gatherings in Durban, not only lashed out at the violence but also went out of his way to acknowledge the enormous role that leaders of Indian-origin had played in the freedom struggles.

 

MANDELA SAYS FORCES OF APARTHEID MUST NOT DIVIDE THE PEOPLE IN NATAL

 

Twelve days after his release, Mandela addressed a massive crowd in central Durban on February 25 1990. Thousands of people of all colours turned up to welcome home a leader who had sacrificed nearly half his life for their freedom.

This correspondent was also there on behalf of the Press Trust of India (PTI) and several international radio stations such as the BBC, Radio Netherlands, and Radio France Internationale.

Several newspapers in India published the story the next day on February 26. The Hindustan Times, The Hindu and the Indian Express carried the stories under the headlines: “Mandela lauds role of Indians in Natal”, “Attacks on Indian in Natal condemned”, and “Mandela decries attacks on Indians”.

 

MANDELA DECRIES ATTACKS ON INDIANS

 

The article read:

Durban, Feb 26 (PTI): The African National Congress leader, Mr Nelson Mandela, has expressed concern at the recent racial attacks on Indians in the Natal province of South Africa.

Addressing a mass rally here yesterday, Mr Mandela called on the people not to allow the forces of apartheid to sow seeds of division between Indians and Africans just when they were on their way to victory.

 

MANDELA SAYS INDIANS FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM IN SOUTH AFRICA SINCE 1894

 

In a passionate speech, heard by thousands of people, including hundreds of Indians, wearing Mandela and ANC T-shirts, Mr Mandela condemned the violence and said: “The perpetrators of these acts are enemies of the liberation movement.”

Amidst loud cheers he reminded the people of the role played by Indian patriots since 1894 and said their struggle against oppression was a shining example of Indo-African solidarity.

The struggle began in Natal with the formation of the first black political organisation in Africa – the Natal Indian Congress founded in 1894 by Mahatma Gandhi, he recalled.

Mr Mandela said: “In 1946 during the defiance campaigns more than 2 000 Indians were sent to jail – many for occupying land reserved for whites. The campaign made clear the common nature of Indian and African oppression ….. in 1947  this led to the Dadoo-Xuma-Naicker Pact and the joint action of Africans and Indians of 1952.”

Mr Mandela said he greeted the people of Natal in the name of peace which was desperately needed in the province.

“Here in Natal apartheid is a deadly disease in our midst. My message to you today is to take your guns, knives and pangas and throw them into the sea. Close down the death factories.

“Stop the violence now,” he told the mammoth crowd admonishingly.

The rally was also addressed by the Indian ANC leader, Ahmed Kathrada, who was released from jail last year along with other ANC leaders, including Walter Sisulu. Ends – Press Trust of SA News Agency Feb 26 1990