RAMSAMY DORASAMY NAIDU (R D NAIDU) - FEARLESS FREEDOM FIGHTER

While we observe 26 years of Freedom on Monday, Aopril 27 2020, let us at the same time pay tribute to a militant freedom fighter who died 30 years ago today (April 26 1990) when addressing students at the former University of Durban-Westville

RAMSAMY DORASAMY NAIDU (R D NAIDU) – FIRST GENERATION DESCENDANT OF INDENTURED LABOURERS WHO CONTRIBUTED ENORMOUSLY FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN SOUTH AFRICA By Subry Govender Thirty years ago, on April 26 1990, one of the most militant revolutionaries and freedom fighters to emerge from the Indian-origin community, passed away while addressing students at the University of Durban-Westville. Ramsamy Dorasamy Naidu, popularly known as R D Naidu, a committed communist during the hurly-burly days of the struggle, was invited by the students to support and address a protest rally. It was just two-and-half months after Nelson Mandela was released from prison and after the ANC, Communist Party and other organisations that were unbanned in February 1990. When the fiery R D got up to speak, he received a thunderous ovation for his unwavering commitment and involvement in the struggles on behalf of workers, political organisations, civic bodies and non-racial sporting federations. Mid-way through his speech, R D Naidu collapsed and died. His death was unexpected and he did not live to see the emergence of the new non-racial South Africa four years later. WHO WAS R D NAIDU? Who was this freedom fighter who was regarded as one of the most uncompromising and valiant soldiers of the South African revolution? FIRST GENERATION DESCENDANT OF INDENTURED LABOURERS In 2009, I spoke to one of his daughters, Ms Ruby Naidu, the third eldest of eight children from his first marriage, and his wife from a second marriage, Mrs Mogie Naidu, about R D Naidu’s life and his involvement in the struggles for a free, non-racial and democratic South Africa. Ruby Naidu told me at that time that she recalled when she was growing up her father was always a very busy person, taking up the struggles of the people; being involved in political marches and being persecuted by the former dreaded security police. “As far as I can remember and recall my father was a very busy man politically and I also can remember that the things that stand out in my head are the marches and protests of the Natal Indian Congress. He made sure that my mum and aunts, my sister, Sylvia, and brother, John, took part in the marches,” Ms Naidu told me in the interview when at that time she was living in a flat on the Berea in Durban. NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS AND COMMUNIST PARTY R D Naidu, a first-generation descendant of indentured sugar cane labourers, was born near the Umgeni River Mosque in Durban in 1914. His involvement in the struggles began at an early age when he started work as a van boy at the Bakers Limited company at the age of 17. He initiated the formation of a union of bakery workers and thereafter his involvement just intensified. He became involved with the Communist Party, the Natal Indian Congress, other trade union organisations, social and civic organisations, and anti-apartheid sporting bodies. ANTI-APARTHEID SPORTS LEADER In the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, he became well-known for his outspoken commitment to the non-racial cause in organisations such as the United Democratic Front, South African Council of Sport (SACOS), National Sports Congress (NSC), and local organisations such as the Durban Housing Action Committee, David Landau Community Centre and the Asherville Ratepayers Association. One of the activists who worked closely with R D Naidu from 1973 to the time of his death in 1990 is 68-year-old Eddie Naidu of Asherville. He and R D Naidu were involved in organisations such as the Durban Indian Child Welfare Society, Asherville Ratepayers Association, Springfield Child Welfare Society, Western Areas Ratepayers’ Association, Asherville Football Association and the Durban Foobtall Association. UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT They joined other activists in the Springfield, Asherville, Puntans Hill, Sydenham and Reservoir Hills areas of Durban. “We were also involved in the anti-SAIC campaigns in 1979 and the anti-Tri-cameral protests in the 1980s. R D and I also attended the establishment of the UDF in Cape Town on August 20 1983. Here Mr Naidu delivered one of his most powerful speeches against minority domination,” said Mr Naidu. “When I befriended R D I was just a youngster of 21 and very uninformed about the struggles. But over the next 17 years I became a student of R D because he was a dynamite in every aspect of the word. He was non-violent in his approach but at the same time he did not brook any nonsense and was vociferous in his beliefs for a non-racial and democratic society. “When Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990, R D was of the view that his dream had been realised. But, sadly, he did not live to see Mandela being elected as South Africa’s first democratic president and the country attaining its freedom in April 1994.”

(R D NAIDU HELPING IN THE PREPARATIONS FOR AN ANTI-APARTHEID SPORTS MEETING WITH HARRY NAIDOO AND ANOTHER ACTIVIST) PROTEST MARCHES Another old comrade, Mr Dennis Naidoo, who used to join him in protest marches in the Overport area, told me in an interview recently at his home in Somerset Park in Durban that Mr R D Naidu stood out as a fearless activist who was not deterred by the oppressive actions of the former apartheid authorities. “I remember we used to stand in a group at various places in Overport, holding placards and shouting slogans against the apartheid rulers,” said Mr Naidoo. “When the security policemen used to turn up, we used to run and when the security policemen left the place, we used to return to continue with our protest actions. “I also remember walking with R D to the Durban Red Square area to join the protest marches called by the Natal Indian Congress. R D Naidu participated in protest meetings and gatherings without any thought about his own life,” said Mr Naidoo. “STRUGGLE WAS MORE IMPORTANT” Ruby Naidu and Mogie Naidu recalled that for R D Naidu the struggle was more important “than any other things in his life”. The security police always kept a close watch on him and both Ruby Naidu and Mogie Naidu recalled that this harassment at the hands of the security branch caused the family much anxiety. Said Ruby Naidu: “What I do remember is that on a number of times the security police used to raid our home and turn it upside down. I didn’t know what they were looking for but on most occasions they did not find anything. This is very emotional for me because I can still feel my dad being rough handled and shoved into a van, the doors being shut and my mum left crying on the balcony in the cold. This left all of us just shell shocked.” SECURITY POLICE HARRASSMENT Mrs Mogie Naidu also recalled the security policemen, one a prominent SB officer, raiding their home in Asherville. “I recall one of the security policemen, called Benjamin, coming to our place with his fellow security branch officers and screaming: ‘where is RD. tell him that the security branch was here’. After that I would go to the third or fourth door neighbour to use the phone because our phone at home was tapped. I would call him and inform him that the security branch was here. I would pack some of his things and someone would come and pick them up. And he never came home for a few days. We used to be worried about his whereabouts, whether he is in jail or whether he has been murdered by the security branch. This was a great deal of concern for all of us. Then suddenly a few days later he would make his appearance.” Because of his sacrifices for the struggle for a free and non-racial South Africa, the Durban municipality in 2008 re-named the Stanley Copley Drive in Asherville as the Dr R D Naidu Drive. DR R D NAIDU DRIVE IN ASHERVILLE Ruby and Mogie Naidu said R D Naidu richly deserved this honour. “Well I am very happy about it because I feel at last my father has been recognised for the work he had put in and the sacrifices his wife and children had made. And there was a time when my dad went on a hunger strike for 30 days and we all suffered through this. But it was for a good cause that we all believed in,” said Ms Ruby Naidu. Mrs Naidu also said that she was happy R D Naidu had been recognised for his struggles. “At least his name is appearing somewhere. He used to always tell me that he used to carry two pens with him. One was a red one and one a blue one. And he always said a pen is mightier than a sword. We believed in this so much that it encouraged my daughter, Rivonia, to take up journalism because she felt that she was fulfilling one of her father’s wishes.” NON-RACIAL DEMOCRACY The Naidu family members, Mr Eddie Naidu and Mr Denis Naidoo said they believed that if R D Naidu was alive today he would greatly appreciate the new democracy “because this is what he had fought for”. However, he would have had concerns about the actions of some of the people who call themselves "leaders". “If my father was alive, he would definitely be a very happy man because this is what he stood for throughout his life as a freedom fighter. However, there would be some aspects where he would be unhappy because he was a man of principles and as a working-class man, he would definitely be unhappy about people who are unfairly treated. I would say he had standards and morals,” said Ms Ruby Naidu, who is now settled in Australia. Mrs Mogie Naidu said he would be very happy about the attainment of freedom in 1994. “But at the same time, I think as a communist he would have been disappointed and disillusioned about the lack of progress by the majority of the working-class people who live on the margins of society. He would also have been unhappy about the gross incidents of corruption and theft of state funds and resources. ”R D was always there to fight for his people and he always told me that my struggle is more important than anything else and if I have to die, I would like to die in front of my people, addressing a meeting, and that is the way he passed on. He died the way he lived.” Mr R D Naidu, like the thousands of activists of the early years, was a fearless and principled proponent of the non-racial and democratic cause. It's hoped that the new generation will learn at least something from great soldiers like him. Ends – Subry Govender April 19 2020

ROY RADHAKRISHNAN PADAYCHIE - ANOTHER LEADER WHO WORKED IN THE NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS – WAS OF THE VIEW IN 2008 THAT ALL SOUTH AFRICANS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO BRING ABOUT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ALL PEOPLE.

"THE SACRIFICES MADE BY OUR INDENTURED ANCESTORS SHOULD NOT BE IN VAIN"

A Radio Documentary by Subry Govender about his views on a Lobby Group or Forum

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 yet another leader I interviewed in 2008 about his life, political involvement and views about the situation at that time. He passed on, on May 4 2012.

SUNNY SINGH – ONE OF THE STRUGGLE HEROES WHO WAS IMPRISONED ON ROBBEN ISLAND FOR 10 YEARS AND FORCED INTO EXILE FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO FREEDOM

A Radio Documentary compiled in 2008 about his views about a Forum or Lobby group to work with the ANC By Subry Govender

(Sunny Singh and wife, Urmilla, with Nelson Mandela in Maputo in 1998) Sunny Singh, who is now 81-years-old and lives in Durban, is one of the backroom boys and unsung heroes of South Africa's freedom struggles. Born in 1939 in Umkumbaan in Cato Manor in Durban to working-class parents, Singh took an active role in the social and political lives of the people from an early age. He has his roots to indentured sugar cane labourers. His father came down as an indentured labourer from a village in the Bihar state of India while still a minor. Singh joined the Natal Indian Congress in 1958 and after joining the ANC’s Umkhonto We Sizwe, he became actively involved in the underground work with 18 other MK activists. He was arrested in October 1963 with his comrades, charged and sentenced to Robben Island for 10 years. His fellow comrades convicted included Billy Nair, Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, Kisten Moonsamy, Kisten Doorsamy, Siva Pillay, Curnik Ndlovu, George Naicker and Nathoo Babania. They were all convicted of carrying out acts of sabotage. They all served imprisonment from five to 20 years. After his release in 1973 he was served with a five-year banning order. But despite this he continued with his underground activities. He went into exile in 1976 and served the ANC in several African countries and in Holland.

He returned to the country in 1991 and after 1994 he served the Intelligence Service until 2008. He’s currently a volunteer at “South Africa in the Making”, a project of the Monty Naicker Foundation. This project is based at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

After his retirement, I interviewed Sonny Singh IN 2008 about his political life and his views at that time. This is the Radio Documentary I compiled at this time:

PAUL DEVADAS DAVID - ANOTHER STRUGGLE ACTIVIST WHO HAD SOME STRONG POLITICAL VIEWS IN 2008

A struggle activist who also had some strong views in 2008 about the need for a Forum or Lobby Group to work with the ruling ANC. A Radio Documentary compiled in 2008 about the political activism life of Paul David and his views about the situation at that time. By Subry Govender

Another struggle activist I had spoken to in 2008 about the political developments at that time was Paul Devadas David, who is now 80-years-old and lives in KwaDukuza, formerly Stanger, on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. David, a senior official of the Natal Indian Congress and the United Democratic Front, was involved in anti-apartheid and anti-regime activities for most of his life. He was among the six freedom activists who sought refuge at the British Consulate in central Durban in the mid-1980s after being hunted by the then apartheid security police. The other leaders were Mewa Ramgobin, Archie Gumede, M J Naidoo, George Sewpersadh and Billy Nair. David was also among the 15 activists with Ramgobin who were charged with High Treason in 1985. The others were Isaac Duze Ngcobo, Archie Gumede, Curtis Nkondo, Sisa Njikelana, Aubrey Mokoena, Sam Kikine, M J Naidoo, Albertina Sisulu, Essop Jassat, Cassim Salojee, George Sewpersadh, Frank Chikane and Thozamile Gqweta. Born on August 26 1940 in Pietermaritzburg into a devout Catholic family, David’s grand-parents came from a little village in Tamil Nadu in South India to the then Natal Colony as indentured labourers. His father Simon David was a school teacher and principal and as such was a strict disciplinarian. He instilled the values of respect for elders and commitment to education to David and his three other sons and three daughters. One of David’s sisters, Phyllis Naidoo, was also a struggle stalwart who was called to rest on February 13 2013.

(Paul David (right) with Swaminathan Gounden (left) and another activist during a protest meeting in Durban in 2017) Paul David came under the influence of Phyllis and his brother-in-law, M D Naidoo, while still at high school and became the secretary of the Natal Indian Youth Congress in 1959. He became actively involved in the political struggles when he joined Mewa Ramgobin and other activists in the revival of the Natal Indian Congress in the early 1970s and was elected the vice-president of the NIC in 1979. He was also involved with the Release Mandela Committee and was elected its secretary in 1983 and in 1984 became fully involved with the United Democratic Front(UDF). In addition to his political involvement at all levels, Paul David also became involved in anti-apartheid work at community levels in ratepayers’ organisations in Verulam, Stanger and Durban. He was also involved in non-racial sport in organisations such as the Southern Natal Soccer Board, South African Soccer Federation, Natal Cricket Board, Natal Council of Sport, South African Council of Sport and at local levels in Verulam and Stanger. In 2009, 15 years after the advent of our non-racial and democratic South Africa I had the opportunity of talking to Paul David about his thoughts about the new South Africa at his offices in KwaDukuza (formerly Stanger), north of Durban. He was blunt in his views that there was a need for a non-racial forum to help the ruling ANC in furthering the social, political and economic development of the new South Africa. His views and thoughts expressed then were very relevant at a time when the ANC faced serious and deep divisions within its ranks over the lack of proper leadership and the hunger among some people who had joined the ruling party to enrich themselves through fraud and corruption. This is the radio feature that I had compiled after speaking to Paul David more than 10 years ago.

BISHOP RUBIN PHILIP – A PROGRESSIVE CHURCH LEADER AND A FORMER BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS ACTIVIST WHO MADE AN INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO POLITICAL AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

A RADIO DOCUMENTARY COMPILED IN SEPTEMBER 2008 ABOUT HIS LIFE, HIS POLITICAL VIEWS AND THE NEED FOR A FORUM TO WORK WITH THE RULING ANC BY SUBRY GOVENDER

(BISHOP RUBIN PHILIP WITH THE LATE PADDY KEARNEY AND VETERAN ACTIVIST, SWAMINANTHAN GOUNDEN) Bishop Rubin Philip, who retired in December 2015 as head of the Anglican Church in KwaZulu-Natal, is one of the leading activists who has made an invaluable contribution to the political and social transformation of South Africa as a progressive leader of the church and a former black consciousness leader. Bishop Philip participated in the struggles without any fanfare and publicity. Born into a working-class family in the historical district and close-knit community of Clairwood, south of Durban, in March 1948, Philip started at a young age to question the desperate conditions under which his parents and other families had to survive at that time. The grand-son of indentured labourers who came from the Telegu-speaking area of the former Madras Presidency of south India, Bishop Philip's political awareness and involvement took root in 1969 at the age of 20, when he travelled to the town of Alice in the Eastern Cape to study to become a priest at the Federal Theological College, near the Fort Hare University. Here he met BC leader Steve Biko and became his close associate. This relationship strengthened when in 1971 he returned to Durban where Biko was studying medicine at the Natal University. His active involvement in the social and political transformation of the country deepened after he was appointed an Anglican Priest in Wentworth and became involved with the Diakonia Council of Churches. He became fully involved after the 1976 Soweto uprisings and led many struggles through the Diakonia Council of Churches and the Anglican Church of South Africa. The attainment of freedom in April 1994 came about, not only through the struggles of people involved in the political arena, but also through the struggles by religious leaders such as Bishop Philip. In 2008 I interviewed Bishop Philip about his life, his views about the state of affairs in the country and the need for a progressive voice or forum to work with the ruling ANC.

PROFESSOR JERRY COOVADIA – A SENIOR OFFICIAL OF THE NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS AND A COMMITTED ANTI-APARTHEID ACTIVIST

RADIO DOCUMENTARY ON HIS LIFE AND POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT AND VIEWS COMPILED IN SEPTEMBER 2008 BY SUBRY GOVENDER

(Prof Jerry Coovadia with Judge Thumba Pillay at a meeting of the Active Citizens Movement, which was established by activists to work with the ANC)

In September 2008, I had embarked on a programme to interview former struggle stalwarts about their concerns with the failure of the new non-racial and democratic government to tackle issues such as poverty, unemployment, violent crime, social and economic marginalisation of the majority of the people and political greed. Along with Professor Coovadia, I had also spoken to Bishop Rubin Philip, Paul Devadas David, Roy Padaychie, Sunny Singh, Mewa Ramgobin and Siva Naidoo on this issue. I had also spoken to another struggle stalwart, A S Chetty, of Pietermaritzburg who I interviewed in 1998. He passed on two years later in September 2000 at the age of 72. His views answered some of the questions that I posed to in 2008. The period I spoke to the activists and leaders in 2008 was around a time when another struggle veteran, Professor Fatima, had expressed her disappointment with the manner in which the post-apartheid government was failing in its duties to unite all the people in the struggles against growing social and economic divide among the people. I spoke to Professor Hoosen Jerry Coovadia at a time when he was one of the country’s foremost health academics, international HIV-AIDs scientist and a former well-known activist of the Natal Indian Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF). Professor Coovadia was forthright in his views about the social, economic and political prevalent in 2008. He was very critical at that time with the acute lack of political leadership, widespread political divisions within the ruling ANC, high rate of fraud and corruption, runaway violent crime, student uprisings at universities for the scrapping of fees, lack of service delivery by officials at national, provincial and local government, growing unemployment, poverty, inequality and lack of growth in the economy. This is the radio feature I had compiled in September 2008 after speaking to Professor Coovadia. I will publish the Radio Documentaries of the other activists following this documentary on Professor Coovadia.

BILLY NAIR – THE SON INDENTURED LABOURERS WAS ONE OF THE DOYENS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO WAS IMPRISONED ON ROBBEN ISLAND FOR 20 YEARS AS PART OF HIS 60 YEARS OF SACRIFICE FOR FREEDOM

A THREE-PART RADIO DOCUMENTARY ON HIS LIFE AND SACRIFICES FOR FREEDOM BY SUBRY GOVENDER

One of the doyens of the liberation struggles was Billy Nair, the son of indentured labourers, who was imprisoned on Robben Island for 20 years for fighting against white minority rule and domination. After his death at the age of 79 on October 23 2008, Subry Govender compiled a three-part series as a special tribute in honour of this struggle icon. This three-part Radio Documentary is being published as part of our information for those who are interested in learning about OUR RICH HISTORY.

Part 1: Billy Nair’s re-integration into the struggles after his release from Robben Island after 20 years in August 1985 and his early life.

Part 2: Billy Nair’s brutalisation at the hands of the dreaded apartheid security police.

(BILLY NAIR BEING HONOURED BY ARCHUE GUMEDE AFTER HIS RELEASE FROM ROBBEN ISLAND IN AUGUST 1984) Part 3: Special tribute after his passing on October 23 2008. His commitment to unity, democracy and non-racialism within the ANC.

ISMAIL CHOTA (I C) MEER – ONE OF THE GIANTS OF THE FREEDOM STRUGGLES WHO WAS BANNED AND RESTRICTED FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS A RADIO DOCUMENTARY IN HIS HONOUR BY SUBRY GOVENDER

THIS FORMER LAWYER IN THE NORTH COAST TOWN OF VERULAM WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL

(MR ISMAIL MEER (EXTREME LEFT) WITH NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS LEADER, DR MONTY NAICKER; ANTI-APARTHEID SPORTS LEADER M N PATHER; ANOTHER GREAT POLITICAL AND SPORTING ACTIVIST, ME GEORGE SINGH; AND MR MEER'S WIFE, PROFESSOR FATIMA MEER) In 1998, while Mr Ismail Chota (IC) Meer was serving as an ANC member of the provincial parliament in KwaZulu-Natal, I had the privilege of talking to him about his early life and political struggles at his home in Asherville, Durban. During his struggles for a free, non-racial and democratic South Africa, Mr Meer was banned, house-arrested, detained, and denied the right to be a free writer and journalist for more than 40 years. He was also tried for treason. In addition to his political struggles, he was also a trade unionist, educationist, and lawyer. After talking to this great stalwart of Indian-origin, I compiled a Radio Documentary to record his contributions during the struggle years. Mr Meer was the husband of another great activist, educationist, writer, and sociologist, the late Professor Fatima Meer who passed away on March 12 2010. I C Meer himself passed away 10 years earlier on 1 May 2 000 at the age of 82 after serving the African National Congress in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Assembly since the dawn of our new era on April 27 1994. Mr Meer, who was born in 1918 in the small northern KwaZulu-Natal town of Waschbank, near Dundee, completed his high school at the famous and historical Sastri College in Durban and obtained his law degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1946. While at university in Johannesburg he came under the influence of Dr Yusuf Dadoo, who was president of the Transvaal Indian Congress at this time. He also be-friended Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and other political activists. Mr Meer became involved with the Transvaal Indian Congress as its secretary in 1945, the South African Indian Congress, Natal Indian Congress and the South African Communist Party. He also participated in the 1952 Defiance Campaign and was among the Congress leaders arrested for treason in December 1956, but charges against him were dropped in early 1958. At the same time, he was a committed writer and journalist. He edited the Passive Resister during the passive resistance campaigns in 1946 and during the height of the struggles in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s he wrote under various names for the Leader newspaper in Durban and other publications because of the banning orders imposed against him by the apartheid regime. He suffered this inhumanity for nearly 40 years. Despite the restrictions and banning orders against him, Mr Meer managed to run his law practice in the town of Verulam, about 25km north of Durban. It was here in Verulam that I first came into contact with him while I was a pupil at the local high school. Most people in the town and elsewhere saw Mr Meer not only as a role model but also as an inspirational leader against the former apartheid regime.

His wife, Professor Fatima Meer, published the book, "Ismail Meer: A Fortunate Man", as a tribute to him in December 2002. I am re-publishing the RADIO DOCUMENTARY today on April 19 2020 (at the time of the Corona Virus Lockdown) to honour this great Indian-origin leader for his committed struggles for the creation of a non-racial and democratic future South Africa.

SUMBOORNAM PILLAY ( SAM MOODLEY) - A BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS ACTIVIST WHO STOOD THE TEST OF TIME

(SAM MOODLEY AS A YOUNG BC ACTIVIST ADDRESSING A RALLY IN DURBAN IN THE EARLY 1970s)

(SAM MOODLEY WITH VINO, SATHS COOPER AND ANOTHER COMRADE IN THE PLAY "BLACK ON WHITE") In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the philosophy of black consciousness had caught the imagination of hundreds of young activists in the struggles for freedom and human rights in South Africa. One of those who became involved was Sumboornam Pillay, who later became known as Sam Moodley. She worked very closely with leaders of the calibre of Ramphele Mamphele, Debs Mashoba, Vuyi Mashalaba, Steve Biko, Barney Pityana, and Strini Moodley in propagating the cause of black consciousness. In July 2009 I had the privilege of talking to Sam Moodley at her home in Durban and compiled this radio documentary about her early life in Dundee, her student days, her involvement in the BC movement and her community work. I found the radio documentary while going through my files during this period of Corona lockdown. I am publishing this radio documentary now as a tribute to Sam, who is now 72-years-old.

JUDGE THUMBA PILLAY – ANOTHER STALWART OF THE FREEDOM STRUGGLES

A TWO-PART RADIO DOCUMENTARY COMPILED IN MAY 2009 ABOUT HIS EARLY LIFE, STRUGGLE POLITICS AND CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA BY SUBRY GOVENDER

(THUMBA PILLAY (FOURTH FROM LEFT) IN THIS HISTORICAL PICTURE OF OFFICIALS OF THE NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS)

(THUMBA PILLAY WITH ANOTHER STALWART, SWAMINATHAN GOUNDEN) While the Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic has taken its toll on the lives of people, one of the prominent anti-apartheid activists and leaders during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s – JUDGE THUMBA PILLAY – has been using the time to publish on social media historical material about the struggles. JUDGE Pillay, who has just turned 85, has played a prominent role in the Natal Indian Congress, the United Democratic Front, other political and community organisations and in the struggles of non-racial sporting orginsations. I had known Judge Pillay from 1971 when the NIC was revived and during the struggles thereafter in the attainment of our non-racial democracy in April 1994. I had the privilege of talking to Judge Pillay in May 2009, after our fourth democratic elections on April 22 2009, and compiled this two-part Radio Documentary about his life, his involvement in the struggles and the decision to disband the NIC. PART ONE: His early life in Clairwood, Durban; university education, and political involvement.

PART TWO: His involvement in negotiations prior to the April 1994 elections, disbandment of the NIC and views about the new South Africa.

DR ZWELI MKHIZE - HIS ROLE IN TRYING TO COMBAT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIGHLIGHTS HIS COMMITMENT TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT OF THE MARGINALISED AND DISADVANTAGED

A THREE-PART RADIO DOCUMENTARY ON HIS LIFE COMPILED IN FEBRUARY 2009 IS BEING RE-PUBLISHED TO SAY THANK YOU TO DR ZWELI MKHIZE BY SUBRY GOVENDER

One of the political leaders who is playing a major and crucial role with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government in tackling the Corona Virus (Covid-19) is the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize. Since the Ramaphosa Government’s campaigns began more than two months ago, Dr Mkhize has been in the forefront with his team to try to control the spread of the dreaded pandemic. Dr Mkhize’s commitment brings to mind the kind of roles he has played in the political struggles and the socio-economic emancipation of the marginalised, the poor and the disadvantaged after 1994. I had the privilege of interviewing Dr Mkhize in February 2009 about of his early life, his student days, political struggles and his involvement in the new non-racial and democratic Government. I compiled a three-part Radio Documentary in order to recognise the invaluable contributions by Dr Mkhize. I have the pleasure of re-publishing the three-part documentary to say thank you to Dr Mkhize for his efforts in fighting Covid-19. PART ONE This is about his early life growing up in a farm near Pietermaritzburg and his school life.

PART TWO This is about his student days and struggles, helping in the formation of the UDF, his move into exile, return in 1991 and his entry into post-apartheid government after the April 1994 elections.

PART THREE This is about his political views about what should be done to improve the socio-economic conditions of the poor and marginalised, and his fight against corruption and personal enrichment of people who join the ruling ANC.

HANIF BHAMJEE - SOUTH AFRICAN WHO WAS A FORMIDABLE ACTIVIST AND LEADER OF THE BRITISH AND WALES ANTI-APARTHEID MOVEMENTS

One of the political activists who played a pivotal role as part of the British and Wales anti-apartheid movements to isolate apartheid South Africa during the days of the struggle is Hanif Bhamjee, formerly of Pietermaritzburg. Bhamjee, 73, has been resident in London and Cardiff in Wales after being forced to leave South Africa in 1965 to continue his studies. In 2009 he was recognised for his anti-apartheid activities in Britain and other parts of the world when he was bestowed with the Satyagraha Award by the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation in Durban. He was also awarded the OBE by the British Queen for his humanitarian work. SUBRY GOVENDER interviewed Bhamjee while he was in Durban in July 2009 and compiled this Radio Documentary as a tribute to this dynamic anti-apartheid activist.

KAY MOONSAMY – WHO – LIKE NELSON MANDELA – ALSO SACRIFICED 67 YEARS OF HIS LIFE, INCLUDING HIS FAMILY, IN THE ANC STRUGGLES FOR A FREE, NON-RACIAL AND DEMOCRATIC SOUTH AFRICA A TWO-PART RADIO DOCUMENTARY ON THE LIFE OF THIS HUMBLE FREEDOM ACTIVIST BY SUBRY GOVENDER

(KAY MOONSAMY WITH FELLOW ACTIVIST, SWAMINATHAN GOUNDEN)

On the 21st June 2017 – one of the country’s lesser known freedom activists – who spent 27 years of his life in exile – died at the age of 91 at his home in Chatsworth, Durban, after the serving the cause for freedom for 67 years. I compiled this two-part Radio Documentary on his life in 2009 after interviewing at his home in Chatsworth. One of the political activists and struggle stalwarts who like, Nelson Mandela, sacrificed 67 years of his life for the freedom we enjoy today is little-known 90-year-old Kay Moonsamy of Chatsworth in Durban. This correspondent had the opportunity of interviewing Mr Moonsamy at his home in 2009 when he had retired from active politics after serving 10 years in parliament as a member of the ruling ANC. He had earlier spent 27 in exile, working for the ANC in Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, India and the Soviet Union. PART ONE: is about his early life as a trade unionist, involvement in the Natal Indian Congress, removal of the conservative Kajee-Pather group from the leadership of the NIC, and his arrest as one of the Treason Trialists in 1956 when he met for the first time Nelson Mandela and other leaders.

PART TWO: is about is about his flight into exile in 1965, his work in exile, his return to the country 1991 and his involvement in helping to build the ANC into a political party.

YUNUS ISMAIL MAHOMED – ANOTHER STRUGGLE ACTIVIST WHO PLAYED AN ENORMOUS PART FOR JUSTICE AND FREEDOM

A RADIO DOCUMENTARY AS A TRIBUTE TO YUNUS MAHOMED BY SUBRY GOVENDER

(YUNUS MAHOMED WITH ZAC YACOOB, PRAVIN GORDHAN AND THUMBA PILLAY)

Another leader who made an enormous contributions in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s for the creatioin of a non-racial and democratic South Africa is Yunus Ismail Mahomed. Born in Johannesburg in 1950, Yunus Mahomed made his mark in student struggles, Natal Indian Congress, United Democratic Front and organisations such as the Democratic Lawyers’ Association. Subry Govender compiled this radio documentary on his life after he passed away at the age of 58 in Durban on January 6 2008.

SOUTH AFRICA FOR ALL AS ENUNCIATED BY NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS LEADERS IN THE 1970s, 1980s and EARLY 1990s

A RADIO DOCUMENTARY BY SUBRY GOVENDER COMPILED IN 2008 TO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES OF THE ACTIVISTS AND LEADERS

(FAROOK MEER WITH FORMER KZN PREMIER WILLIES MCHUNU)

(GEORGE SEWPERSADH (EXTREME LEFT SEATED) WITH OTHER ACTIVISTS OF THE 1970s, 1980s and EARLY 1990 ERA) In the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s a number of Indian-origin activists came to the fore after the revival of the Natal Indian Congress by Mewa Ramgobin and his band of dedicated leaders in 1971. The voices of Dr Farook Meer and George Sewpersadh were recalled in 2008 after a memorial service in Durban for fellow activist and human rights lawyer, Yunus Mahomed. During the service a number of leaders spoke about the lack of credible leaders taking up the cause of the people. Even the ANC representative at the service, Mr Senzo Mchunu, stated that the ruling party should look up to credible leaders within the community instead of empowering former apartheid stooges and yes men. This radio documentary was compiled in 2008 to acknowledge the voices and contributions of the people of Indian-origin to the struggles for a non-racial and democratic South Africa.

THE INTERNAL STRUGGLES THAT KEPT ALIVE THE ANC WHILE IT AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS WERE BANNED A RADIO DOCUMENTARY BY SUBRY GOVENDER

This radio documentary was compiled in 2008.

While political power in 2020 is now the order of the day, it is necessary to recall the voices of some of the leaders inside the country who kept the struggles alive in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. The leaders inside the country continued with the struggles despite heavy repression, bannings, detentions, and even state-sponsored murders and violence. The voices of Dr Nthatho Motlana, Jay Naidoo and Murphy Morobe represent the hundreds of activists who kept alive the values and principles of the ANC during the dark days of apartheid oppression.

THE ASSASSINATION OF CHRIS HANI 27 YEARS AGO ON APRIL 10 1993

Twenty-seven-years ago on April 10 1993, South Africa lost a giant revolutionary and a future leader of the country, when he was assassinated by right-wing elements. The assassination, almost one year before the launch of our new, non-racial and democratic South Africa, robbed the new country of a freedom fighter who could have taken over from the first President, Nelson Mandela. He was leader of the South African Communist Party and an executive member of the ANC at this time. He was only 51-years-old at the time of his tragic death. In order not to forget the role played by this great leader, I published this radio documentary in April 2008.

A R RAHMAN INTERVIEW IN CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA IN FEBRUARY 1995

In early 1995, after covering the official visit of President Nelson Mandela to India, I visisted the state of Tamil Nadu to continue my search for my roots. During this visit I had the good opportunity of inquiring and making arrangements to interview the talented and gifted young musician, A R Rahman. He was 28 at that time and living with his mother and sister in Chennai. He invited me to his house where I conducted the interview. I inquired about his family, his early life after his father passed away when he was 9-years—old, his entry into music, his conversion to Islam, and his social and political views. I found this interview in one of my casettes today k (April 11 2020) while going through my files during this period of Coronia Virus lockdown.

CORONA VIRUS 2019 REMINDS ONE OF TSUNAMI DECEMBER 26 2004

Three weeks after the killer Tsunami waves hit several parts of India, I visited the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu which was hit the hardest by the Tsunami. More than 10 000 people were killed in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and the Ka Nicobar and Andaman islands. Tens of thousands of others were left homeless and destitute. I visited a number of coastal areas from Chennai, the capital, to Nagapatnam in the deep south. Now that India and the world at large have been hit by another major disaster – Corona Virus (Covid 19) – I am publishing several of my radio documentaries about the Tsunami disaster in Tamil Nadu.

JUDGE NAVANETHAN PILLAY – FORMER UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER - RADIO DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HER EARLY LIFE

(JUDGE NAVANETHAN PILLAY WITH TAMIL PEOPLE FROM SRI LANKA DURING A CONFERENCE IN DURBAN IN 2015 ON THE PLIGHT OF SRI LANKAN TAMILS AFTER THE GENOCIDE A FEW YEARS EARLIER) Judge Navanethan Pillay, who was appointed the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner in July 2008, came from very humble beginnings in South Africa. She was born in the historical village of Clairwood in Durban in 1941 to working class parents. Her ancestors arrived in the former Natal Colony under British rule as indentured sugar cane labourers from a little village near the city of Madurai in the South Indian state Tamil Nadu. Subry Govender interviewed Judge Pillay in Durban after her UN appointment and compiled this radio documentary about her early life, schooling, university education and POLITICAL awakening South Africa.

UNITY, NON-RACIALISM AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE OF ALL SOUTH AFRICANS - AT A TIME OF COVID 19 LOCKDOWN AND CRISIS

(NELSON MANDELA MEETING MRS SONIA GANDHI DURING HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO INDIA IN 1995)

(NELSON MANDELA WHEN HE WAS INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT OF THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA IN MAY 1994) At a time when South Africans – irrespective of race, colour or creed – are getting together to help one another during this time of the Corona Virus, I would like to bring you the voice of Nelson Mandela. He had always promoted the concept of unity, non-racialism and peaceful co-existence. This radio documentary was produced in 2008 at a time when some elements were promoting racial domination in order to raise their profiles.

MEDIA FREEDOM IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO THE PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY - NELSON MANDELA

In 2014 when fears were being expressed about the ANC’s intentions to introduce new measures to restrict the media in publishing sensitive government information, there was a hue and cry against what people termed “moves top control the media” in the non-racial and democratic South Africa. At this time I recalled the views of Nelson Mandela about media freedom and why it was vitally important for a free media to survive in society. I compiled this radio documentary in an attempt to emphasise the importance of a Free Media for the survival of our democracy.

WHY MEDIA FREEDOM IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO THE PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY - ACCORDING TO FORMER NELSON MANDELA

In June 2011, at a time when the ruling ANC Government had planned to introduce new measures to restrict the media in the country, there was a hue and cry against what most people described as plans to control free flow of information. The new measures included the Protection of Information Bill and the Media Appeals Tribunal. But these measures were dropped after the ANC realised that it was going against its own principles of creating a society where freedom of expression and freedom of the media would be guaranteed. I wrote this piece at this time to remind the ANC that it was going against all those who had fought and sacrificed their lives for a free and unbridled media. NEW MEDIA PROPOSALS BEFORE PARLIAMENT ARE AGAINST THE FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA THAT STRUGGLE JOURNALISTS AND THE ANC FOUGHT FOR By Marimuthu Subramoney (aka Subry Govender) Saturday, June 11, 2011 "Freedom of the media, which is the essence of democracy, will flourish in our country. We will feel deprived if we had a press that does not consider itself independent and free to criticise the action of public figures." These noble and gallant words were expressed by no less a leader than former President and former leader of the ANC, Nelson Mandela, when addressing local and foreign journalists in Johannesburg only a few days before the country's first democratic elections on April 27 1994. Mandela added: "We need a Government that puts people first. The ANC will strive for an open society. Democracy means more than just a vote, it means vigorous debate. People must be free to express their views without fear, including criticising the Government of the day." The independent and free media that Mandela talked about was enshrined in our new constiion when the ANC was elected to power 17 years ago. South Africans had been assured that the new democracy will promote the growth of a free, unhibited and vibrant media. It would be unlike the media of the apartheid era when scores of progressives journalists had to pay a heavy price in the struggles for a free media. Former Defence Minister, Charles Nqakula; Press Ombudsman Joe Thloloe; former SABC CEO Zwelike Sisulu; Mathatha Tseudu; Juby Mayet; Philip Mthimkulu and the writer were just some of the scores of media people who had been jailed, banned and house-arrested, harrassed and intimidated and denied passports between the 1970s and late 1980s for fighting for media freedom. For most of the past 17 years there's no doubt whatsoever that we as journalists have enjoyed the privilege of operating without any restrictions, curbs or threats. But over the past few years some ruling members and politicians have tried to "stifle" the media with threats and other forms of intimidation. Some of the new politicians even used to telephone editors and journalists to influence them to cover their progammes and speeches. They wanted journalists to be their "PROs". Some of the politicians did not take kindly to the reportage of the widespread corruption which unfortunately has become part and parcel of our new South African democracy. One politician in the Eastern Cape recently even called on people to burn down a local newspaper because he saw the newspaper as not being supportive of the ruling party. Therefore, the new measures, the Protection of Information Bill and the Media Appeals Tribunal, that the Government and the ruling ANC are now trying to push through parliament with undue haste have come as no surprise. But for "struggle" leaders like Mandela and others, the new moves will not only be a surprise but also a painful and shocking development. At this period it is worth recalling the high regard in which Mandela and others had held the media in. Only a day after he was released from prison on February 11, 1990, Mandela addressed the media at the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town. He not only acknowledged the role the media played in his freedom and that of others but also congratulated them for their work. "I want to assure you," he said, "that I am absolutely excited to be out". He went on: "I am also excited to have the opportunity of addressing you because throughout these difficult years in prison the press, both local and foreign, had been a brick to us. "I think it was the intention of the Government that we should be forgotten and that their leaders - leaders of the homelands and the bantustans and all those who work within Government structures - should be built up and that we should be forgotten. "It was the press that kept the memory of those who had been in prison for offences which they had committed in the course of their political activities. It was the press that never forgot us and therefore we are indebted to you and I am happy to be here this morning with you." Over the next few years during his travels around the country and to many parts of the world, Mandela ensured that he always maintained a cordial relationship with journalists and regularly engaged in jovial exchanges. He never forgot to compliment the media whenever the need arose. "Being followed around by competent journalists and asked questions all the time keeps us on our toes," he once told journalists at a media briefing in Johannesburg. But at the same time he also stood his ground when he disagreed with questions posed by journalists. He always did this without ever trying to give the impression that he wanted journalists to "toe the line" and stop asking awkward and difficult questions. "Journalists have threatened that they are going to ask me awkward questions and I hope there are very good journalists who would protect me," he said once in early 1994. "As foreign correspondents you will experience from your own perspective the difficulties of transition to a democratic South Africa. We have just three months before South Africa's first democratic elections. The future hold many exciting prospects for South Africa." Now with Mandela and other leaders out of the way, there are some, not the majority, who pay very little value to a free and unbridled media in a democracy. These elements must be reminded that a free, unfettered, courageous and vibrant media is the only guarantor of the continuation of our new hard-fought and earned non-racial democracy. Therefore, despite the freedom of the media being guaranteed in our constitution, journalists must take up the cudgels and not stop until the powers that be remove the new Protection of the Information Bill and the ANC discards the Media Appeals Tribunal. There could be discussions about the Media Appeals Tribunal but we cannot allow a statutory tribunal that is going to be made up of government-appointed "party hacks" and other "hangers on". The campaign against the two measures must continue even if journalists have to go to jail once again in defence of the "freedom of the media" that Nelson Mandela talked about after being released in 1990 from nearly three decades of imprisonment. South Africans must realise that at one time after Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980 that country also enjoyed freedom of the press. But after President Robert Mugabe began to interfere and made the media a "mouthpiece" of his regime, one could see what has happened to the media there. The measures now being promoted by the Government and the ANC may be the start of our media also travelling that route and becoming a "pliant" and "toothless" institution. One is compelled to ask the question: What are some of the leaders and officials of the ruling ANC and the Government afraid of? We are not at war with any country nor anyone intending to attack our country for our gold and diamonds! We are only at war with widescale fraud, corruption, thievery and other misdeeds at local, provincial and national government levels. The ANC and the Government must realise that if we don't expose these misdeeds then we will only be violating the freedom of expression and freedom of the media that all of us, including the ANC, fought for and won. Why should socially-conscious journalists be sent to lengthy jail terms if they expose corruption and other misdeeds committed by elected political leaders and government officials? The proposed new media regulations now before parliament will, once it becomes law, allow the Government not only to hide official corruption but also to jail courageous journalists who are not prepared to "toe the line". - Subry Govender, jUNE 11 2011