DR MONTY NAICKER ARTICLES AND STORIES ON DR MONTY NAICKER DURING THE PERIOD FROM EARLY 1973 TO 1978 WHEN I WORKED AT THE DAILY NEWS, WHICH WAS SITUATED AT THAT TIME AT 85 FIELD STREET, DURBAN (NOW JOE SLOVO STREET)

 

 

                            (Photo Daily News 1973)

 

During the hurly, burly days in the early 1970s, when I worked at the Daily News situated at 85 Field Street (now Joe Slovo Street) in Durban, I used to be in regular contact with a number of political, social, educational and sports leaders, including those who were either banned or house-arrested at that time.
One of the leaders who I kept in touch with and had written a number of articles about his restrictions was the leader of the Natal Indian Congress and the South African Indian Congress, Dr Monty Naicker. Dr Naicker would have turned 110 in September 2020.
I used to visit Dr Naicker at his surgery in Short Street, off Prince Edward Street (now Dr Goonam Street) to get information about his banning orders, restrictions, his struggles to go on holiday and his inability to communicate openly with other struggle stalwarts.
On numerous occasions when I visited him at his surgery, he would be most accommodating despite his restrictions. On several occasions while we were seated, he would lift the telephone of its hook and place it on the side.
When I used to inquire why he was doing that, he would say: “The security branch people would be listening to our conversation.”
I found the articles when researching my files during this period of Covid19 lockdown for struggle stories and profiles.
One of my first stories I wrote on Dr Naicker was on May 5 1973 about his 16-year banning order being lifted.
            

          

          16 – YEAR BAN ON DOCTOR LIFTED

 

 

 

The story read:

 

A Durban doctor who had been a banned person for 16 years yesterday described the joy of his friends and his own uncertainty when his banning order was lifted this week.

“My friends were more excited than I was. I wasn’t sure what to do when the order was lifted,” Dr G M Naicker said.

Dr Naicker, former president of the Natal Indian Congress and the South African Indian Congress, had his 10-year banning order, restricting him to the magisterial district of Durban, lifted at midnight on Monday.

Previously Dr Naicker had been banned for three successive periods of two years each.

“It was difficult. Being banned for such a long time I accepted the restrictions. They had become a way of life for me,” Dr Naicker said.

He said that after the first few years of being banned he no longer thought of life being anything else but restrictions on his movements and social life.

“Now I have to re-educate myself by getting used to a new life,” he said.

Despite all the restrictions which disrupted his life, Dr Naicker has no regrets.

“You have to pay the price and make sacrifices for your rights. There are no half measures.”

He said he had made no plans for the future.

“At the moment I just want to get used to my new life,” he said. Ends – Daily News Reporter May 5 1973

 

 

        NAICKER HOPES TO GET PASSPORT 
        (June 12 1973)

 

A month after the story on his banning orders being lifted was published, I wrote a piece about Dr Naicker intending to apply for a passport to visit family members in Britain and Ireland.
The story was published on June 12 1973 under the headline: “Naicker Hopes to get passport”.
The story read:
“Dr G M Naicker, the former president of the Natal and South African Indian Congress whose 16-year banning order was lifted early last month, is to apply for a passport to visit members of his family in the British Isles.
In an interview today, Dr Naicker said that he intended to visit his son in Ireland and his sister in Edinburgh.
He said that he was anxious to visit his son whom he had not seen for more than 24 years. His son settled in Ireland after studying in India.
Dr Naicker was last given a passport in 1948 when he went on a tour of India.
“After my return I took an active part in politics and because of my campaign for equal rights I was in and out of jail.
“And when my passport had expired, I did not apply for a renewal.”
Dr Naicker said his wife had applied for a passport in 1970 to visit his son in India but her application was refused.
“I am confident that I will be given a passport,” he said. Ends – Daily News Reporter June 12 1973

 

 

     BAN LIFTED BUT NO PASSPORT FOR DOCTOR
(August 28 1973)

 

                               

             

Then in August 1973 I wrote an article about Dr Naicker and his wife being denied passports. The article was published under the headline: “Ban lifted but no passport for doctor”.

The article read:

 

The former banned leader of the South African Indian Congress, Dr G M “Monty” Naicker, and his wife have been refused passports by the Minister of Interior, Dr Connie Mulder. No reason has been given.
Dr Naicker, whose banning order was lifted early in May after 16 years, applied eight weeks ago to the Department of Indian Affairs for passports for himself and his wife, Marie. The Naickers were planning to visit their son in Ireland and Dr Naicker’s sister, whom he had not seen for 28 years, in Scotland.
A disappointed Dr Naicker said in an interview today that he was being made to suffer for fighting for the humanitarian rights “of the oppressed people of South Africa”.
Dr Naicker said that murderers, swindlers, thieves and criminals got off free after serving periods of sentences but yet political prisoners were victimised after serving their sentences.
 
                    NO “YES MAN”
 
“I have served my sentences for the crimes that I was supposed to have committed but yet I am not a free man. The refusal of the passport is a first-class form of intimidation for not being a ‘yes man’,” he said.
Dr Naicker said that he could not understand why his wife was also refused a passport.
“I know of no reason,” he said, “why my wife should be denied her privileges unless of course she is paying the price for marrying me”.
There was nothing that he could say overseas that would affect the security of the country.
“The people overseas probably know more about South Africa’s injustices than you and I.”
Dr Naicker said that he might now visit Cape Town for a holiday.
He was hoping to visit other parts of the country and Swaziland, Botswana and Lourenzo Marques.
Mr G R Oakley of the Department of Indian Affairs said today that he did not why Dr Naicker was refused a passport “but the Minister has seen it fit not to grant Dr Naicker a passport”.
The Minister of Interior has denied passports to three other prominent black leaders recently. They are Mr Hassan Howa, president of the South African Cricket Board of Control; Mr Morgan Naidoo, president of the SA Amateur Swimming Federation; and the leader of the Labour Party, Mr Sonny Leon.
*In Johannesburg yesterday police visited Mr Chris Mokoditoa, vice-president of the Black Peoples’ Convention, and told him Dr Mulder had withdrawn his passport. Ends – Daily News Reporter August 28 1973
 

                      NAICKER PARTY: QUIZ

Then in July 1973, the Helping Hands Society, led by Dr Kesaval Goonam, had planned a "welcome home" function after Dr Naicker's banning orders were lifted. I spoke to an official of the sociey and filed a report under the headline: Naicker Party: Quiz on July 13 193.

           DR MONTY NAICKER TO SPEAK

 

Then in November 1974, I wrote a short piece about Dr Naicker being invited to address the Merebank Ratepayers’ Association in Durban.

The story read:

 

Dr G M “Monty” Naicker, a former leader of the Natal Indian Congress who was banned for 16 years until May last year, will address the annual meeting of the Merebank Ratepayers’ Association at the Woonathie Sabha temple hall, Merebank, on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the association said Dr Naicker, a strong opponent of the Government’s separate development policy, is expected to talk on the “farcical” aspects of the Indian Council. Ends – November 13 1974

 

 

  PASSPORT BIDS: THIRD “NO” IN THREE YEARS

 

In September 1975 I wrote another article about Dr Naicker being refused a passport for the third time in three years. The article was published under the headline: “Passport bids: Third ‘No’ in three years” on September 22 1975.

The article read:

 

The former banned leader of the Indian Congress, Dr G M “Monty” Naicker, and his wife have been refused passports for the third time in three years by the Minister of Interior, Dr Connie Mulder.

No reason has been given.

Dr Naicker first applied for his passport in June 1973, one month after his banning order was lifted after 16 years.

Dr Naicker (65) told the Daily News today that he and his wife, Marie, had applied in May to go to Mauritius. The Department of Indian Affairs just returned his money without explanation.

He said he could understand the Department of Interior refusing him a passport, but “why refuse my wife”?

“Why must my wife suffer for whatever crimes I might have committed in the eyes of the Government?

“It is the personal right of a citizen to be given a passport. I did not know that in this age of détente the Government refused passports,” he said.

He said the Government recently granted a banned couple and several other people who were anti-government in the old days, passports to go overseas.

“But I don’t know why they are treating me differently. I am going to continue to apply for our passports, until one of us gets tired.”

Meanwhile, Mr Norman Middleton, Coloured Representative Council Executive Member; and Mr Hassan Howa, former president of the Cricket Board of Control; are still waiting to hear from the Ministry of Interior about their passport applications.

Progressive Party MP, Rene de Villers, who negotiated for a passport for Mr Sonny Leon, leader of the anti-apartheid Labour Party, is negotiating on behalf of Mr Middleton. Ends – Daily News Reporter September 22 1975

 
NAICKER’S LATEST PASSPORT REFUSAL CONDEMNED

     Indian Council chairman appeals to Mulder

On the same day of September 22 1975 I went about interviewing a number of political leaders and anti-apartheid leaders about the refusal of a passport to Dr Naicker.

The article was published the next day under the headline: “Naicker’s latest passport refusal condemned” and sub-headline: “Indian Council chairman appeals to Mulder”.

The story read:

Mr J N Reddy, executive chairman of the Indian Council, has called on the Minister of Interior, Dr Connie Mulder, to grant a passport to the former banned leader of the Indian Congress, Dr G M “Monty” Naicker.

He has been refused one for the third time in three years.

Mr Reddy said yesterday it would be a welcome gesture on the part of the Government in this age of détente if a passport was granted to Dr Naicker.

The Government has been granting passports to many who had engaged in political activities and he could not understand why Dr Naicker was being refused one.

“Dr Naicker has had his innings and in any case his views had been expressed as far back as 1945. There is nothing new he can tell anybody.

“I want to strongly urge the Minister to grant Dr Naicker and his wife passports so that they can visit their family overseas or take a holiday.”

Mr Alan Paton, author and former leader of the Liberal Party, said the refusal of passports to Dr and Mrs Naicker was “mean and disgusting”.

He described the action as “vindictive” and said it left one speechless.

There were times when one became encouraged by Government moves towards change in South Africa, “but when they do a thing like this it makes one lose patience”, he said.

Senator Eric Winchester of the Progressive Reform Party said: “One is used to the Government’s refusal to grant passports to individuals from time to time, but one can never get used to the fact that citizens of South Africa should be denied their passports, unless they have committed a crime.” Ends – Daily News Reporter Sept 23 1975

 

 

BIG RECEPTION FOR MRS MANDELA

 

Then a month later in October 1975 I wrote an article about Dr Naicker being present at the former Louis Botha Airport to welcome Mrs Winnie Mandela whose banning orders had been lifted after 13 years on September 30 1975.

She was invited to Durban by a “Welcome Back Committee”, headed by Mrs Fatima Meer.

The story, published on October 12 1975, read:
 
Durban’s Black residents’ associations will hold a special “welcome back” ceremony for Mrs Winnie Mandela, wife of Robben Island prisoner, Mr Nelson Mandela, at the Beatrice Street Y M C A on Sunday at 4:30pm.
Mrs Mandela, who was banned for 13 years, had her banning orders lifted on September 30.
Mrs Fatima Meer, a member of the committee convening the function, told the Daily News that the “welcome back” reception was being held because of the many requests from the people of Durban to honour Mrs Mandela for “all her sacrifices in fighting for justice and freedom”.
She said Mrs Mandela who would arrive at Louis Botha Airport on Sunday at 3pm would be met by prominent black leaders, including Dr Manas Buthelezi, former Director of the Christian Institute; and Dr Monty Naicker, former president of the South African Indian Congress.
Mrs Meer said elaborate arrangements would be made for Mrs Mandela both at the airport and the Beatrice Street Y M C A. Loudspeakers would be installed outside the Y M C A. ends – Daily News Reporter October 12 1975.
 

NATIONAL DAY OF CONCERN OVER DETAINEE DEATHS URGED

 

Then when the apartheid regime increased its oppression and repression of anti-apartheid opponents in the years after 1976, I spoke to Dr Naicker about the new situation where a number of activists had died while in detention.
The story was published on January 13 1977 under the headline: “National day of concern over detainee deaths urged”.
The article read:
 
Dr Monty Naicker, a former banned leader of the South African Indian Congress, has called on all democratic leaders in the country to observe a “day of concern” for all people alleged to have died in detention.
Dr Naicker, who was the leader of the passive resistance campaigns in the 1940s, issued his call after the latest deaths in detention on Sunday of two Soweto blacks.
They were Dr Nanaoth Nthuunstsha, who is alleged to have hanged himself, and Mr Lawrence Ndzanga, who is alleged to have collapsed and died of natural causes.
The latest deaths bring to 13 the number of people believed to have died in detention since the beginning of 1976.
Dr Naicker said that beside the “day of concern”, black and white democratic leaders should actively intensify the call for an independent judicial commission to investigate the deaths in detention.
Mr Norman Middleton, vice-chairman of the Labour Party, supported the call for a “day of concern” because the deaths in detention were “becoming frightening”.
Those who died in police custody since the beginning of last year were Mr Joseph Mdluli (50), a former Durban member of the banned African National Congress; Mr Mapetla Mohapi (25), a former member of SASO and BPC; Mr Luke Mazwembe (32) of Cape Town; Mr Dumisani Mbatha (16), a Soweto student; Mr Jacob Mashabane (22), a University of Zululand student; Mr William Tshwane, a Soweto student; Mr Fenuwl Mogatusi (22) of Johannesburg; Mr Edward Nzolo (40) of Soweto; Mr Ernest Mamasila (35) of Springs; Mr Wellington Mlungisi Tshazibane (30), a Fort Hare and Oxford graduate and employee of De Beers-Lesotho Mining Company; and Mr George Botha, a Port Elizabeth school teacher who is alleged to have jumped six floors down a stairwell in Port Elizabeth’s Sanlam Building on December 15. Ends – Daily News Reporter January 13 1977
 

 

 
DR MONTY NAICKER PASSES ON, ON JANUARY 12 1978

 

A year later on January 12 1978, Dr Naicker passed away at the age of 67. I recall that after his funeral a memorial service was arranged by the Natal Indian Congress to be held at the Natal Tamil Vedic Hall in Carlisle Street, Durban.
But the memorial service never materialised. I phoned Mr R Ramesar, who was the secretary of the NIC at that time, and asked him what had happened.
“I am sorry Subry. The security police has been on our backs and they are making it difficult for us. We, therefore, sadly had to put off the memorial service. It’s a great tragedy for us,” he told me. 

 
MONTY NAICKER COMMEMMORATION COMMITTEE

 

(Mr Swaminathan Gounden (left), Mr Chinappan (right, who is now late) and another comrade (centre) attended the launch of the Monty Naicker Commemorative Committee in 2010)

In April 2010, nearly 16 years after the attainment of our non-racial democracy in April 1994, some leading members of the struggles in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s banded together to establish the Dr Monty Naicker Commemoration Committee in order to honour the legacy of Dr Naicker and other struggle stalwarts.

(Mr Kay Moonsamy (who is now late)  and three other comrades also attended the launch of the commemorative committee)

(Dr Khorshed Ginwala, who is now late,  and Ms Ela Gandhi also attended the launch of the commemorative committee)

When this was initiated, I wrote the following article about this move in April 2010: The article was published in the Sunday Tribune on April 18 2010. 

                                            

By Marimuthu Subramoney

Some former leading anti-apartheid activists have established the Monty Naicker Commemmoration Committee(MONACC) to organise events that will highlight the values and legacies of the former leader of the Natal Indian Congress and other struggle heroes.

The former activists include Paul Devadas David; former Transport Minister Mac Maharaj; former NIC secretary general Dr Dilly Naidoo; Dr Korshed Ginwala of the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation; KZN MEC for Human Settlement  Mrs Maggie Govender; Charm Govender; former Robben Island prisoner and umkhonto we Sizwe soldier Sunny Singh; Swaminathan Gounden; and Ethekwini Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo.

The Committee was established in January as the Congress Aliance Commemmoration Committee but after reservations expressed by some activists, the members decided to formally change the name at a meeting at the City Hall this past week.

"Although the Monty Naicker commemmoration events will coincide with the observation of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers, the Committee plans to organise programmes on a continued basis in order to inform and education the people, especially the younger generation, about the vital and important role played by activists in the struggles for a non-racial and democratic South Africa," said Committee secretary, Charm Govender.

"The commemmoration events are also aimed at mobilising the people to contribute to the ongoing struggles to build a fully non-racial and cohesive South African society," said Govender.  

Some of the events that the Committee will highlight in exhibitions are the 1946 Passive Resistance campaign; the 1947 doctors pact between Dr A B Xuma, Dr Monty Naicker and Dr Yusud Dadoo; the 1952 Defiance Campaign; the 1955 Congress of the People in Kliptown, Johannesburg; the 1956 Treason Trial; the 1960 Sharpeville massacre; the bannings of the ANC and other organisations in 1960; the establishement of Umkhonto We Sizwe in 1960; the establishment of the United Democratic Front in 1983 and the ANTI-South African Indian Council campaigns in the 1980s and early 1990s.

"We will have a launch of the main Monty Naicker 100th birth anniversary celebration in Durban in the next few months and thereafter take the exhibition to all parts of KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of the country," said Govender.

"Our main focus will be schools where we plan to encourage essay writings and debates on the lives of Dr Naicker, Dr Dadoo, Dr Kesaval Goonum and other struggle heroes," he said.

"We want to ensure that our young people know about our rich political struggles and that they involve themselves in creating a non-racial future in our beloved country.

"The Committee will be a mobilising force for our non-racial society," said Govender. ends - M. Subramoney April 18 2010

 

A permanent archive centre under the management of MONAC has now been established and is a permanent feature at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.   Ends – Subry Govender December 28 2020

 

SATYAGRAHA AWARD FOR DR MONTY NAICKER IN SEPTEMBER 2010

 

Then in September 2010 I wrote another article about Dr Monty Naicker being bestowed with the Satyagraha Award by the Gandhi Development Trust at the Durban City Hall on September 9 2010. The article was published in the Sunday Tribune on September 12 2010.

The award was received by his son, Dr Kreesan Naicker.  ends - January 1 2022

FOOTNOTE: Dr Kreesan Naicker, son of Dr Naicker, said after he qualified in India he returned to Durban and never settled in Ireland. He was here when his father and mother applied for their passports to visit Dr Naicker's terminally-ill sister in Edinburgh, Scotland.

He said he was visited by the infamous security police officer, Nayagar, and told that they were prepared to grant their passports provided he would guarantee that Dr Naicker would not give an interview to the BBC about the situation in South Africa.

"I agreed knowing full well that my father will never agree to this."