In the late 1970s and 1980s - those who participated in the struggles were mainly anti-apartheid Indian, coloured and African activists. White activists were far and few between. On September 12 2010 one of the anti-apartheid activists who played an active role in a number of progressive organisations, Ann Colvin, passed away at the age of 88. Subry Govender had the opportunity of talking to the indomitable lady about a year before her passing. The reproduction of this article is part of a series that Subry Govender has embarked on in paying tribute to some of the anti-apartheid activist. It's hoped this will provide some information about our struggles for the those who are interested.
By Marimuthu Subramoney
(aka Subry Govender)
During the height of the resistance against the former apartheid regime in the 1970s and 1980s, a number of middle-aged white women in Durban used to lend their support at almost all the protest meetings and rallies. One such person was the energetic, sprightly, spirited, passionate and politically strong Ann Colvin, who used to at that time live in St Thomas Road on the Berea.
BLACK SASH
She was, in addition to being associated with various social and community organisations, an official of Black Sash; and worked closely with the socio-religious anti-apartheid organisation, Diakonia; Detainees Parents' Support Committee; End Conscription Campaign(ECC); Support for Conscientious Objectors; the Release Mandela Campaign; and the Natal Indian Congress.
On Sunday, September 12, 2010 this exceptional and indomitable fighter for justice died in her sleep at the ripe-old age of 88. A large group of family, friends and former anti-apartheid politicial activists held a simple service at the Botanical Gardens Education Centre in the city on Friday(Sept 17) to pay tribute to her.
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Who was this little-known political activist? Sometime early in 2009 just before the general elections I had the privilege of interviewing Ann Colvin at a time when she had just completed her 86th birthday.
Born in Durban in March 1922, she came from a somewhat privileged background. She and her twin sister attended the Durban Girls College where she completed her matriculation.
In 1946 at the age of 24 she married a British pilot and because of her husband's work she lived most of her married life outside South Africa in England, Hong Kong, Lebanon and Kuwait.
In the late 1960s when her husband retired from British Airways, she returned to South Africa with her husband and four young children - two boys and two girls - to settle in Durban.
Immediately on her return she became drawn to the anti-apartheid struggles because she and her children did not experience the kind of racial prejudice that existed in South Africa at that time.
"From the very first time when I landed and came back here I was horrified by what I saw," she had said.
NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS
"I was not surprised not so much by seeing apartheid in action but by the fact that white people accepted it. I couldn't believe it. Some of these people were my peers, people I grew up with. I couldn't believe that they could accept something so totally unjust.
"So I told myself that I either join the anti-apartheid struggles or leave the country."
The first organisation she joined was the Black Sash, an organisation made up mainly of white women who provided help to black people on labour matters and other social issues. She was the chairperson of the Durban branch of Black Sash for more than 20 years and also became closely involved with, among other organisations, the Natal Indian Congress, which at that time was one of the main above-board organisations leading the struggles against repression and oppression.
"I went to all the meetings and didn't think that my skin colour was a problem. We were all there fighting for non-racialism and speaking out against the injustices of the apartheid regime. The people in the Natal Indian Congress were a great bunch of people. I really admired them for what they were doing and I was made one of them. There was no such thing as skin colour."
But, she said, it was not all smooth sailing. The dreaded security police of that era kept a close watch and they didn't like seeing a white woman involved in the struggles with African, Indian, and coloured people.
"What really got their goats to put it crudely was the fact that here we were whites, Indians, Africans and coloured people protesting and working together. They couldn't believe that we could be together. They didn't do anything overtly against me but they let you know they were watching you."
Ann Colvin only voted for the first time in 1994. She and her children could not find themselves voting previously in a system that they totally abhorred.
"Words can't express it. It was absolutely incredible. I was elated. I remember I never went to sleep that night. I worked all night . It was terrific. It was wonderful wonderful time in 1994. It was very exciting to be part of it. Tiny tiny part of it."
NELSON MANDELA
Like many other political activits, All Colvin also missed Nelson Mandela at this time of our political life.
"I missed Nelson Mandela after 1999 because of his tremendous humanitarian and leadership qualities. I didn't agree with Thabo Mbeki because of his stance on HIV-AIDs, Gear, the arms deal and the internal squabbles. Yes my feelings went from disappointment to despair to disgust."
Ann Colvin wants to see democracy strengthened in the country and want to see strong political parties emerging.
"I think it is a sadness that in so many countries around the world democracy has not worked," she had said.
"We demand our human rights but on the other side of the coin is social responsibility."
She said despite being disappointed and disillusioned with the current "goings on", she was still committed to the ideals of non-racialism, an open society and a vibrant democracy that she and other activists had fought for. ends - subrygovender@gmail.com
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