FORMER ACTIVISTS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS PAY TRIBUTE TO STRUGGLE STALWART – DR FAR00Q MOOSA MEER

(Dr Meer attending the launch of the UDF in Cape Town in August 1983) Scores of former activists, including two leaders who are now Cabinet Ministers in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Government, were part of a large contingent of family members and friends who attended the memorial service for Dr Farooq Moosa Meer who passed away two weeks ago at the age of 85. The service was held at the Sastri College Hall in Durban on the afternoon of Saturday, August 5 (2023).

(Ministers Joe Pahla and Pravin Gordhan) The activists, who also addressed the service, included former UDF leader, Popo Molefe; Dr Joe Pahla, Minister of Health; Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Public Enterprises; Dr Diliza Mji, former SAS0 leader; retired judge Thumba Pillay, who was a former Natal Indian Congress top executive; Ms Ela Gandhi, former NIC official; Prema Naidoo, former Transvaal Indian Congress official who represented the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation; Bishop Rubin Philip, former black consciousness leader; and Linda Zama, who represented the KZN Elders Council.

(Bishop Rubin Philip Linda Zama) All these leaders acknowledged the major contributions made by Dr Meer and his family to the liberation struggles prior to 1994. In addition, a number of family members, both locally and from overseas, paid glowing tributes to their "PA" for his efforts not only to the freedom struggles but also as head of the family.

(Popo Molefe delivering his address) Popo Molefe summed up, in his address, the messages of most of the speakers.

(Ela Gandhi and Linda ZAMA) In his lengthy address, he outlined the role that Dr Meer played in the Natal Indian Congress, United Democratic Front, other progressive organisations and during the Codesa negotiations at Kempton Park in Johannesburg.

(Prema Naidoo, a former official of the Transvaal Indian Congress who represented the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation at the Memorial Service) He said: "Comrade Farouk played a critical and outstanding role in the building of various organisations of the people and in the struggle that these organisations prosecuted." He went onto mention the names of the struggle stalwarts that he worked with. (Dr Meer addressing a rally in Durban) " Comrade Farouk together with comrades such as George Sewparsadh, MJ Naidoo(late), Mewa Ramgobin(late), Archie Gumede (late), Curnick Ndlovu (late), Nozizwe Madlala, Yunus Mahomed (late), Dr Diliza Mji, Professor Jerry Coovadia, Zac Yacoob, Paul David, Thumba Pillay, Lechesa Tsenoli, Virgil Bonhomme, Rev Mcebisi Xundu (late), Professor Sandy Africa, Pravin Gordhan et et al were pivotal to the formation and campaigns of the UDF. (Dr Meer attending the launch of the UDF in Mitchel’s Pain in Cape Town in August 1983)

(Minister Gordhan and Ravi Pillay) "The UDF campaigns forced the Apartheid Regime to release Nelson Mandela and the rest of the political prisoners, unban the people’s movements and accede to negotiated democratic constitutional arrangements both of which were key demands of the UDF. (Dr Meer with other activists welcoming Billy Nair home after being released from Robben Island. Thumba Pillay was also there with Dr Meer)

(Yunus Carrim, Yusuf Abramajeee and other activists who attended the memorial) "Unquestionably, the UDF affiliates strengthened the mass pillar of the struggle for freedom. They built organs of people’s power and raised through struggles and the people victories mass political consciousness.

(Farooq addressing a protest rally in Durban in the mid 1980s) "The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa enshrines the values, principles and vision that Comrade Farouk strove and lived for. These are values of unity in diversity, inclusive society, non-racialism, civil and political rights( 1st generation rights) and social, economic and cultural rights (2nd generation rights) guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. (Dr Meer with Mewa Ramgobin, Thumba Pillay, George Sewpersadh and other activists at a protest meeting in Durban)

(Dr Meer with Yunus Mahomed and Zac Yacoob during the struggle days) "These are the legacy, heritage and monuments that Comrade Farouk through struggle and sacrifices created for the current and future generations."

– ends August 5 2023 (20:00)