ROY RADHAKRISHNAN PADAYCHIE WAS ANOTHER LEADER WHO WORKED IN THE NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS WITH THE RECENTLY LATE MEWA RAMGOBIN IN THE STRUGGLES FOR THE CREATION OF A NON-RACIAL AND DEMOCRATIC AFRICA.

IN THIS RADIO FEATURE, THE LATE GOVERNMENT MINISTER, WHO PASSED ON DURING A GOVERNMENT MISSION IN KENYA ON MAY 4 2012, TOLD SUBRY GOVENDER IN AN INTERVIEW IN 2008 THAT ALL SOUTH AFRICANS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO BRING ABOUT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ALL PEOPLE. BY SUBRY GOVENDER Mr Roy Padaychie, a descendant of indentured labourers, also experienced the oppression of the former white regime during the 28 years of his involvement in the struggles prior to the creation of our new non-racial and democratic South Africa in 1994. During the nearly three decades of his involvement, Padaychie became involved in the revival of the Natal Indian Congress, and later in organisations such as the Chatsworth Housing Action Committee, the United Democratic Front, the Release Mandela Committee, the Anti-South African Indian Council Committee and finally the ANC. After his schooling, he studied at the University of Durban-Westville where he joined activists like Pravin Gordhan, Zac Yacoob, Yunus Mahomed and others, to confront the apartheid state. Despite his involvement in student politics, he managed to complete his Bachelor of Science degree and later, after finding work at the Shell Company, he was granted a scholarship to study for his Masters at the University of London. Here he further heightened his anti-apartheid struggles and worked closely with leaders of the calibre of Dr Yusuf Dadoo, Aziz Pahad, Frene Ginwala, Oliver Tambo, the president of the ANC at that time, and many others. After his return he continued with his anti-apartheid work, especially in Chatsworth, and established a non-government organisation to foster early childhood education. After the ANC was unbanned in 1990 and Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Padaychie joined other activists in promoting the ANC and establishing branches all over the place. He was inducted into the new non-racial Government when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Communications in 2004 by former President Thabo Mbeki. He was later appointed Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration in 2009 by President Jacob Zuma. In 2010 he was appointed Minister of Communications and in 2011 he was appointed to the position of Minister of Public Service and Administration. Padaychie is the fourth leader I have included in this radio feature series to archive those who had made enormous contributions during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s to bring about the free South Africa we enjoy today. The others so far I have listed are Mewa Ramgobin, Professor Jerry Coovadia, and George Sewpersadh.