ZUMA SAYS RADICAL ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

When President Jacob Zuma delivered his state of the nation address a week ago last Thursday, he was not only interrupted and disrupted in un-parliamentary manner, but also described as a failed president who should step down immediately. Over the past two days – during a debate on Zuma’s address by MPs - the ruling ANC and opposition members were once again involved in name calling and crude insults. Zuma responded to the debate on Thursday afternoon. Subry Govender filed this report for RDW from South Africa…… .

STRUGGLE HERO DHARAMRAJ KISSOON SINGH - A HOUSE-HOLD NAME IN THE 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s

By Subry Govender One of the social, civic, sporting and political activists whose enormous contributions to the creation of South Africa’s new non-racial and democratic society spanned nearly 60 years was Durban lawyer, Dharamraj Kissoon Singh, who passed on in August 2010 at the age of 81. A few years before his passing, I had the privilege of interviewing D K Singh about his early life, his social and political involvement and his views about the challenges facing the new South Africa. “I became an activist during the apartheid era because I could not just sit back and allow the apartheid regime to continue with its discriminatory and repressive policies,” he told me when I asked him why and he became an activist. "I saw the injustices being done to our people and without thinking about it, I felt that I had a duty to our people both locally and nationally." Born into a humble working-class family at Umzinto on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast on May 27 1929, Mr Singh completed his early education at Umzinto and Sastri College in Durban where he completed his matriculation in the early 1940s. Mr Singh became actively involved in the struggles for social, sporting, economic and political liberation while still a student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. He played an active role in the Students Representative Council and came under the influence of Dr Monty Naicker, who was then president of the Natal and South African Indian Congresses in the 1940s and 1950s. During this period, he took part in many of the campaigns initiated and led by Dr Naicker. He qualified as an attorney in 1958 and immediately became one of the progressive lawyers who made himself available to take up the legal struggles of many political activists and organisations facing harassment at the hands of the former apartheid regime. For more than two decades Mr Singh operated from the centre of the former Grey Street "Indian" area in Durban in partnership with the late Mr Pat Poovalingham and Mr Kader Vahed. The law firm was known as: "D K Singh, Poovalingham and Vahed."

Over the next 40 years he became actively involved in the anti-apartheid civic, political and sporting struggles. He became an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress when it was revived in the early 1970s, served as president of the Asherville Ratepayers Association for 23 years, was one of the founding members and president of the Durban Housing Action Committee(DHAC) for 12 years, president of the David Landau Community Centre for 14 years and president of the Amateur Swimming Union of Natal for five years and executive member of the non-racial Amateur Swimming Federation of South Africa. Mr Singh was also secretary of the Durban Citizens Action Committee, which assisted activists detained by the former notorious security police; represented victims of the Group Areas Act; and provided free legal service for the Aryan Benevolent Home and the Durban Blind and Deaf Society. At the same time Mr Singh assisted trade union organisations such as the former Durban Integrated Employees Society(DIMES). Mr Singh worked very closely with veteran struggle stalwarts such as Swaminathan Gounden, Rabbi Bugwandeen, and George Sewpersadh in the Natal Indian Congress. He also worked with Gounden, the late Vasie Nair and Rad Thumbadoo in the Asherville Civic Association and the David Landau Community Centre. He also established a formidable team with Pravin Gordhan, who is now the Minister of Finanance, and the late Yunus Mahomed and George Sewpersadh in advancing the cause of the Durban Housing Action Committee, which highlighted the plight of the homeless and the poor. D K Singh also assisted many individuals and communities when they were forcefully evicted from their homes under the notorious Group Areas Act in the 1960s. One of the groups was the Zanzibari community, who had settled in the Bluff in Durban after their ancestors had arrived from the Zanzibar Island in Tanzania in East Africa. They were also evicted from their homes and forcefully removed to Chatsworth. Mr Singh worked tirelessly to ensure that they received adequate compensation. In the sporting swimming world, he was closely associated with stalwarts such as late Morgan Naidoo, who was president of the Amateur Swimming Federation of South Africa, and Archie Hulley. One of the features of his life was that he did not charge any legal fees for the work he had undertaken on behalf of activists and social and community organisations. This correspondent, who had known Mr Singh since the early 1970s, asked him during our interview why he provided free legal service for so many individuals and organisations. He responded: "How can I even dream of charging any fees for the defence of comrades who played such an active role in promoting our freedom and in trying to get a better deal for the community generally?"

D K Singh also provided free legal services for numerous social and welfare organisations, including the Aryan Benevolent Home and Natal Blind and Deaf Society. At the time of the interview in 2006, Mr Singh was confident and optimistic about the progress that had been made in the new South Africa. He was of the view that the country had come a long way although there were still many challenges. This is what he had said: "The country is doing fairly well. We still have immense problems which we have to solve - the housing backlog, the employment problems. All these things need to be attended to. But I think the Government is trying its best and I am sure given the time they will achieve much more than they have already achieved." D K Singh had great confidence in the future of the country. Mr Singh was of the view that the young people had to take an active interest in the future of the country because it was the new generation that would inherit the new democracy. "The young people must carry the struggle forward for social and economic equality. "They must take an active interest in the problems of the country. They must ensure that they make a meaningful contribution to the development of the country and to the attainment of a truly-rainbow nation where everybody has equal rights," he told me. Although D K Singh retired at that time in 2006 from active social, sporting and political work he still kept a close watch on the social and political work. In a growing democracy like South Africa, D K Singh said it would be very difficult to be dispassionate even when one is caught up by advancing age. “We have to follow in the footsteps of our great leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Monty Naicker, Yusuf Dadoo, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu in continuing with our struggles for a society where all people will enjoy full freedom and human rights in a truly non-racial democracy,” he told me. Like other activists of his era, Mr Singh had committed his life to serving the interests of the people. His uncompromising and committed life will, no doubt, be an inspiration to the current and future generations. All of us must forever be thankful to activists of the calibre of D K Singh. There are very few of them around today. Ends – subrygovender@gmail.com Feb 15 2017

TENS OF THOUSANDS PARTICIPATE IN KAVADY CEREMONIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

By Subry Govender in Durban, South Africa

Tens of thousands of South Africans of Indian-origin once again flocked to temples and places of worship all over the country to participate in the annual Kavady prayer services on Sunday, February 12. The Sunday gatherings followed similar events that were held three days earlier on Thursday, February 9. The Thursday and Sunday services were characterised by entire families, including young children and teenagers, participating in the Kavady ceremonies with all their passion, commitment and total belief in the deity - Lord Muruga. The Kavady devotees turned up in huge numbers despite the scorching heat which became unbearable for most of the day. The devotees in fact were undeterred by the burning sun. I was really impressed when I attended one of the Kavady ceremonies at the Shri Siva Subramaniam Alyam in the area of Umdloti in the town of Verulam, north of Durban, on Sunday (Feb 12 2017). This historic temple, like hundreds of temples all over KwaZulu-Natal and many other parts of south africa, was built by our forefathers and mothers who were brought to the then Natal Colony to work as indentured (slave) labourers on sugar plantations since the 1860s. Kavady was one of the traditions that our ancestors started at these temples and thereafter bestowed to their children and surviving generations. This tradition continues today with the same passion and vigour. Here at the Umdloti Drift Alyam I noticed large numbers of young people fully involved, not only in carrying the Kavady, but also as singers, drummers and providing support for their family members. The spiritual nature of the Kavady ceremony was uplifted tenfold with beautiful religious music being played in the background for the devotees.

(Guru Ramalingam with two officials) Guru Ramalingam, the resident priest who is from Tamil Nadu in India, told me that most people participated in the Kavady ceremonies to overcome any hurdles or obstacles in their lives. “It’s like discipline in your life. “Look at the Indian diaspora all over the world and ask yourself why they are successful. They are successful because of their culture, devotion, and discipline and that’s why Muruga Perumal looks after them,” he said. Some of the devotees I spoke to said they carried the Kavady because of the spiritual and cultural upliftment they gained from the ceremonies.

(Mr Enver Moodley and family members) Twenty-eight-year-old Mr Enver Moodley, a general manager in a contact centre, took part in the ceremony with his wife and two-year-old son. “It’s a devotion and something that I do for my child to make sure that he follows the rituals in the same way that I was brought up in life,” he said. “My son is going to be two years in March and this is to make sure that he grows up and follows our traditions. “I have been really, really involved for the past nine years. Every year that I have been participating, I have seen people’s lives changing for the better and I have seen it in myself. I am 28-years-old and I have seen that I have been prospering ever since I have been carrying the Kavady.” Mr Moodley conceded that with the advent of technology and modernisation there’s some concerns about whether the younger generation would stick to their cultures. “But I believe that if parents, like me and my wife, continue to promote the Kavady and other festivals within our families, then obviously the children would follow in the footsteps of their families. “It all starts from us to make sure that they follow in the right pathway. If they continuously see what their parents are doing, then obviously they will follow in their footsteps.”

(Mrs Vasanthie Nayanar and family members) Another Kavady devotee was Mrs Vasanthie Nayanar, a financial accountant. “For me,” she said, “it’s just something I have to do every year, there’s no vow, no penance,” she said. “It’s just part of my culture basically. I feel very spiritually uplifted when I take the Kavady.” Mrs Nayanar has started a youth programme to educate the youth about the importance and significance of Kavady. “In order to retain the youth we must embark on a process of educating the youth about the significance of the Kavady. For me that should be the purpose of the Kavady,” she said. “I am happy to see a lot of youth around here and we need to continue to educate them about the values of Kavady and other important cultural events.”

(Mr Dean Naidoo) Mr Dean Naidoo, who is a senior manager at a prominent company in Durban, was there to support his son who has been taking Kavady for the past nine years. “He’s got the passion for taking Kavady,” said Mr Naidoo, “he believes that there’s a lot of faith in the Kavady and he has devoted his life to take Kavady”. “Our tradition is there and the number of people who participated on Thursday and today is proof that our traditions, cultures and religion are firmly rooted in our people.” Mr Naidoo said as far as he was concerned the younger generation was passionate about Kavady because they wanted to fulfil their dreams and ambitions. “If you look around here you can see the number of young people and their families who are joining together to be involved in their prayers.”

(Prof Kisten with officials) A Trustee of the Shri Siva Subramamiar Alyam, Professor Chandru Kisten, said they had seen an upsurge in the number of people, especially the youth, participating in the Kavady ceremonies. “There is re-surgence among the people, especially the young, in their traditions and cultures because of the good work being carried out by all the temples and organisations”, he said. “There’s greater awareness of the significance, and at the same time, there are so many stories told about the miracles that happen during this auspicious period. “There’s a real belief in the carrying of the Kavady and the signifance of the prayer.” Prof Kisten said they had found that the young people were becoming more and more committed to the cultures and traditions of their ancestors… . He added: “You will even find the youngsters now not only piercing and carrying the Kavady, but there’s a real belief in Kavady. The youngsters come forward and assist in all spheres. The fact that they come with their parents and pray together is an indication that more and more people are becoming spiritually inclined. “This tradition started by our ancestors has continued and we must now continue to strengthen and promote the Kavady ceremony and other cultural traditions.” The Kavady ceremonies in South Africa have become part and parcel of the lives of the Indian-origin community and other cultural communities as well. In many of the ceremonies – one would find that members of other cultures also participate in the ceremonies. It’s a tradition that has been bestowed by our ancestors and it’s pleasing to note that the younger generation are becoming fully involved in the promotion and continuation of Kavady and other cultural traditions. – ends (subrygovender@gmail.com)

SOUTH AFRICANS OF INDIAN-ORIGIN TURN UP IN THEIR THOUSANDS FOR KAVADY

Tens of thousands of South Africans of Indian-origin once again flocked to temples and places of worship all over the country to participate in the annual Kavady prayer services on Sunday, February 12. The Sunday gatherings followed similar events that were held three days earlier on Thursday, February 9. The Thursday and Sunday services were characterised by entire families, including young children and teenagers, participating in the Kavady ceremonies with all their passion, commitment and total belief in the deity - Lord Muruga. Subry Govender compiled this radio feature after attending one of the Kavady ceremonies…… .

TENS OF THOUSANDS PARTICIPATE IN KAVADY CEREMONIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

By Subry Govender

Tens of thousands of South Africans of Indian-origin once again flocked to temples and places of worship all over the country to participate in the annual Kavady prayer services on Sunday, February 12. The Sunday gatherings followed similar events that were held three days earlier on Thursday, February 9. Both the Thursday and Sunday services were characterised by entire families, including young children and teenagers, participating in the Kavady ceremonies with all their passion, commitment and total belief in Lord Muruga. The people turned up in their huge numbers despite the scorching heat. The unbearable heat was in fact no deterrent for the devotees.

(THE RESIDENT SWAMI AND OFFICIALS PROVIDING A HELPING HAND FOR THE DEVOTEES)

(MR G K MOODLEY (RIGHT) AND ANOTHER VETERAN OFFICIAL) I was really impressed and thrilled when I attended one of the Kavady ceremonies at the Shri Siva Subramaniam Alyam in Umdloti, Verulam on Sunday. This historic temple, like hundreds of temples all over KwaZulu-Natal, was built by our forefathers and mothers who were brought to the then Natal Colony to work as indentured (slave) labourers on sugar plantations since the 1860s. Kavady was one of the traditions that our ancestors started at these temples and thereafter bestowed to their children and surviving generations. This tradition continues today with the same passion and vigour. Here at the Umdloti Drift Alyam I was thrilled to see young people fully involved, not only in carrying the Kavady, but also as singers, drummers and providing support for their family members. The spiritual nature of the Kavady ceremony was uplifted tenfold with the beautiful religious music being played in the background for the devotees.

(Mr Enver Moodley with his tgwo-year-old son, wife and another family member) Some of the devotees I spoke to said they carried the Kavady because of the spiritual and cultural upliftment they gained from the ceremonies. Twenty-eight-year-old Mr Enver Moodley, a general manager in a contact centre, took part in the ceremony with his wife and two-year-old son. “It’s a devotion and something that I do for my child to make sure that he follows the rituals in the same way that I was brought up in life,” he said. “My son is going to be two years in March and this is to make sure that he grows up and follows our traditions. “I have been really, really involved for the past nine years. Every year that I have been participating, I have seen people’s lives changing for the better and I have seen it in myself. I am 28-years-old and I have seen that I have been prospering ever since I have been carrying the Kavady.” He conceded that with the advent of technology and modernisation there’s some concerns about whether the younger generation would stick to their cultures. “But I believe that if parents, like me and my wife, continue to promote the Kavady and other festivals within our families, then obviously the children would follow in the footsteps of their families. “It all starts from us to make sure that they follow in the right pathway. If they continuously see what their parents are doing, then obviously they will follow in their footsteps.”

(MRS VASANTHIE NAYANAR (CENTRE) WITH FAMILY MEMBERS) Another Kavady devotee was Mrs Vasanthie Nayanar, a financial accountant. “For me,” she said, “it’s just something I have to do every year, there’s no vow, no penance”. “It’s just part of my culture basically. I feel very spiritually uplifted when I take the Kavady.” Mrs Nayanar has started a youth programme to educate the youth about the importance and significance of Kavady. “In order to retain the youth we must embark on a process of educating the youth about the significance of the Kavady. For me that should be the purpose of the Kavady,” she said. “I am happy to see a lot of youth around here and we need to continue to educate them about the values of Kavady and other important cultural events.”

(PROF CHANDRU KISTEN (SECOND FROM LEFT) WITH SOME OF HIS OFFICIALS) Professor Chandru Kisten, Trustee of the Shri Siva Subramamiar Alyam, said they had seen an upsurge in the number of people, especially the youth, participating in the Kavady ceremonies. “There is re-surgence among the people, especially the young, in their traditions and cultures because of the good work being carried out by all the temples and organisations”, he said. “There’s greater awareness of the significance, and at the same time, there are so many stories told about the miracles that happen during this auspicious period. “There’s a real belief in the carrying of the Kavady and the signifance of the prayer.” He added: “You will even find the youngsters now not only piercing and carrying the Kavady, but there’s a real belief in Kavady. The youngsters come forward and assist in all spheres. The fact that they come with their parents and pray together is an indication that more and more people are becoming spiritually inclined. “This tradition started by our ancestors has continued and we must now continue to strengthen and promote the Kavady ceremony and other cultural traditions.”

– ends (subrygovender@gmail.com)