SOME OF THE SOCIAL STORIES THAT I HAD DONE FOR THE DURBAN DAILY NEWS IN THE 1970s

During my stint at the Daily News, where I first worked as a full-time reporter between 1973 to late 1980, I had covered mainly political and sporting struggles for a race-free South Africa. But, at the same time, I also covered a great many social and other stories of interest to the people. I am researching my work done between 1973 and 1980 during this Corona Virus lockdown period and want to re-publish some of the stories to recall the lives of the people at that time. I am starting today (May 8 2020) with the following articles: 1. DEOLINDA REJECTS THIS CORRUPT WORLD This article was about a young white girl, Deolinda Caldira, of Krugersdorp in the then Transvaal province rejecting the material world to follow the life of spirituality through the Hare Krishna philosophy. I interviewed this farmer’s daughter at the Hare Krishna farm in Cato Ridge in August 1978 about her decision to give up the good life and in turn follow “simple living and high thinking” new life. 2. PARENTS OPPOSE GIRLS IN THE BEDROOM MOVE In September 1974 when students at the then University of Durban-Westville had started a campaign to entertain girl students in their rooms at the campus, there was a massive rejection by some members of the community. But some educationists called on parents to recognise that the situation was changing and they should not simply reject the thinking of young people.

3. UMZINTO MAN - AND MRS THATCHER In February 1975, one of the prolific letter writers to newspapers and politicians around the world, Mr Ismail Moolla, of Umzinto on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, managed to get the personal attention the then British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher. He wrote to her asking whether she would continue with trading links with apartheid South Africa. To his surprise, she wrote back to him, saying she would not only continue with the trade and diplomatic links but also expand the relationship. I had befriended Mr Moola at a time when he was an activist in Umzinto and he used to contact me regularly about political and social developments in the region.

4. YOUNG MUM ACT IN SEX-LAW PLAY

In May 1975, a young white mother, Mrs Judy Thomas, caused a sensation when she agreed to play the leading role in an anti-Immorality Act play that was to highlight the challenges faced by people involved in across the colour-line love affairs. The play, “When you mix White with Black”, was written and produced by Mr Shafa’ath Ahmed Khan of Durban. The play was to have been held at the Orient Hall from June 9 to 13. Mr Khan faced many challenges with “non-Indians” being restricted from attending the show; and the Durban Vice Squad of the police demanding to look at the script. Mr Khan refused to be shaken by the demands of the police and the attendance restrictions. He said he would not follow the restrictions and would allow people to attend his show. Black theatre groups, headed by Mr Kessie Govender, Mr Benjy Francis and others supported Mr Khan in his standpoint. The owners of the Orient Hall also refused to apply any restrictions to the people who wanted to attend. But on June 6 1975, the security police had other ideas and banned the play. A disappointed Mr Khan reacted by saying that he would produce another play with a similar theme.

5. M S STANLEY - CLOTHING FACTORY MACHINIST ELECTED FIRST BLACK SECRETARY OF GARMENT WORKERS UNION In the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s when most of our parents were working in clothing factories all over Durban and on the North and South Coasts, the person promoting their rights was Mrs Harriet Bolton, a British trade union leader. When she departed for England after serving in her position for 10 years in 1975, Mr Stanley was chosen as the first black secretary at the age of 58. The Garment Workers Union had a membership of more than 30 000 workers.

6. PIONEER INDIAN BUSINESSMAN - V N NAIK - DIES AGED 95 On May 25 1975 one of the pioneer businessman, V N Naik, who came from Gujerat in India at the age of 20, died at the age of 95. He was not only a successful businessman but also a philanthropist who contributed liberally to the promotion of education among the people.

7. SECURITY POLICE USE DIRTY TACTICS AGAINST SISTER OF BANNED STUDENT HENRY ISAACS In December 1974 the brutality of the then dreaded security police came to the fore when they were involved in the sacking of the sister of student activist, Henry Isaacs, of Pietermaritzburg from her job in a wholesale chemist company. Miss Rachel Isaacs was sacked from the company after her banned brother skipped the country and escaped to Swaziland. From Swaziland he travelled to New Zealand to continue his law studies. Anti-apartheid political leader at this time, Mr Norman Middleton, blamed the security police for the sacking of Miss Isaacs from her job.