By Marimuthu Subramoney
(aka Subry Govender)
At a time when most journalists in South Africa are expressing their serious concerns about the moves by the new rulers to introduce measures to get the media to "toe the line", it is appropriate to recall the day 34 years ago today (October 19 177) when the former apartheid regime carried out the biggest and most extensive crackdown against the Freedom of the Press.
October 19 1977 was the darkest day in the history of journalism in the country when the main black newspapers, World and Weekend World, were banned and ordered to cease publication along with Pro Veritate, a publication of the Christian Institute; and when editors and journalists were either banned, detained or interrogated and had their homes and offices raided and searched.
The action against the media, ordered by the infamous Minister of Justice, Mr Jimmy Kruger, was carried out in conjunction with the banning of 18 anti-apartheid interest groups, civic, student, religious and media organisations; and banning and detention of their leaders and officials. Mr Kruger and the State President at that time, Dr Nico Diederichs, signed the banning proclamations.
With the stroke of a pen, the state had removed two newspapers that had played a crucial role in keeping the people informed.
Mr Kruger just over a month earlier had described black consciousness leader, Steve Biko's death in detention, as "It leaves me cold".
The notorious security police or "special branch" of the time carried out systematic raids against journalists, newspaper offices and other publications in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban and other cities and towns around the country.
In Johannesburg, security policemen arrested Mr Percy Qoboza, Editor of the World and Weekend World, at his offices at about mid-day, only a few minutes before he was due to hold a media briefing about the banning of his newspapers. He was taken to the then John Vorster Square police headquarters. Mr Qoboza was subequently issued with a five-year banning order. His deputy and news editor, Aggrey Klaaste, was also detained and locked up.
The Editor of Pro Veritate, Mr Cedric Maysom, was also detained and issued with a banning and restriction order.
The security police in Johannesburg also carried out raids and searches at the homes and offices of other journalists and organisations, such as the Union of Black Journalists(UBJ), which was one of the 18 organisations banned. They also arrested and detained a number of journalists, including Mr Joe Thloloe, who is today the Press Ombudsman.
In East London, the security police raided the offices of the Daily Dispatch and served its editor, Mr Donald Woods, with a five-year banning order; and searched the homes of some of his reporters, including Miss Thenjiwe Mntintso, who later skipped the country to go into exile because of harrassment and intimidation.
In Durban, the security police raided and searched the homes of Mr Dennis Pather, who later became editor of the Daily News and the Sunday Tribune; and this correspondent. They confiscated papers and documents from this correspondent's desk at the Daily News.
When representations were subsequently made to Mr Kruger for the release of the detained journalists, he unapologetically responded by saying that the detentions were not meant to intimidate the Press and that his Government had good reasons to detain the journalists.
The clampdown against the media on October 19 1977 had a ironic twist two weeks later when it was reported that the Government was planning to print postage stamps to celebrate 150 years of Press Freedom in South Africa.
A Durban lawyer who was national chairman of the then Progressive Federal Party, Ray Swart, launched a blistering attack against the National Party Government for talking of Press Freedom at a time when it was conducting one of the most ruthless campaigns to suppress the media.
In an interview on October 28 1977, Mr Swart, a strong critic of the apartheid regime, told this correspondent in a report that was published in the Daily News that he was impressed that the Government should want to commemmorate Press Freedom but he would be more impressed if it gave greater indication of what it considered Press freedom to be.
He had said: "It seems strange that they intend doing this after having just banned three newspapers, incarcerated one editor and banned another. I find it difficult to reconcile the actions of the Government. I suggest the stamps they intend issuing to commemmorate Press freedom should have the faces of Mr Qoboza and Mr Woods."
Of course the Government of the day did not take up Mr Swart's recommendation and despite his, the country and world-wide condemnations of the action against the newspapers, editors and journalists, the state continued with its clampdown and suppression of the media much more forecfully. But despite some of the most stringent regulations and harrassment and intimidation of media practitioners over the next 13 years, most journalists never gave up and used October 19 to continue with the struggles for Press Freedom.
They realised their dream of Press Freedom when the ANC and other organisations were unbanned and when Mr Nelson Mandela and other leaders were released in February 1990.
Now, nearly 21 years later after enjoying true Press Freedom, our country is facing the prospect of new measures being introduced to force the media to become "pliant" and to "follow the politician".
The memory of October 19 1977 should ensure that we don't allow ourselves to follow the "Yaa Baas" route.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Rich Indian culture and music promoted in South Africa
By Marimuthu Subramoney
(aka Subry Govender)
The importance of retaining and promoting the cultures, traditions and languages of Indian-origin people was highlighted during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Merebank Tamil School Society(MTSS) at the MTSS Hall over four days on October 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The society brought in a group of artists from India to promote the Tamil language and music.
Various speakers at the functions, including Mr Balan Gounden, chairperson of the MTSS, Mr Micky Chetty, president of the South African Tamil Federation, and Mr Bala Naidoo, president of the Tamil Federation of KwaZulu-Natal, paid glowing tributes to the MTSS for promoting and preserving the Tamil language, culture and music over the past 75 years.
Mr Gounden, in his address, pointed out that Tamil was a language that originated in the first century BC and that it was more than 5 000 years old.
Southside FM Radio
He disclosed at the end of his speech that a Tamil radio station, Southside FM Radio, will be launched soon and that all South Africans of Tamil and Telugu origins must support the radio station.
He said if everything went according to plam, Southside FM would be launched within six months.
Shri Siva Subramaniar Aalyam
A similar event promoting the Tamil language, culture, music and traditions was held at the historic Shri Siva Subramaniar Aalayam in Umdloti Drift, Verulam on Sunday, October 9.
Several cultural, musical and religious groups from all over Verulam rendered items that glorified the rich heritage brought to South Africa by Indian indentured sugar cane labourers more than 150 years ago. The organisations that participated included the SSS Aalayam Service, Verulam Kalay Khazagam, Saro Moodley Kalay Sangam, Tea Estate Service Group, Havenridge Service Group, and the Verulam Cultural Group.
Some of the items included an invocation dance by Miss Derosha Moodley, a member of Sivan Sabhay; the Gargam dance by Maliga Naidoo, Jayaranjani Govender and Saro Moodley; a tiny tots representation of Mother Sakthi, Mother Lutchmee and Mother Sarasvathi by Nikita Naicker, Keesha and Simran; a Peacock Dance; and a mother-daughter dialogue by seventy-eight-year-old Mrs Savandaly Rajgopal and Mrs Saro Moodley about the latest social decline in moral values.
One of the veterans of the SSS Aalyam, Mrs Krishnaneela Naidoo, provided outstanding musical support for the dancers and singers through the harmonium.
Professor Chandru Kisten
The chairman of the Shri Siva Subramariar Aalayam, Professor Chandru Kisten, told the gathering that it was the duty of all people, especially parents, cultural and musical organisations, to keep alive the rich heritage of "our ancestors".
"We have no alternative but to ensure that we continue to promote our cultures, languages and traditions," said Professor Kisten.
"Our rich cultures will help us to combat the social problems that our youth face today."
(aka Subry Govender)
The importance of retaining and promoting the cultures, traditions and languages of Indian-origin people was highlighted during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Merebank Tamil School Society(MTSS) at the MTSS Hall over four days on October 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The society brought in a group of artists from India to promote the Tamil language and music.
Various speakers at the functions, including Mr Balan Gounden, chairperson of the MTSS, Mr Micky Chetty, president of the South African Tamil Federation, and Mr Bala Naidoo, president of the Tamil Federation of KwaZulu-Natal, paid glowing tributes to the MTSS for promoting and preserving the Tamil language, culture and music over the past 75 years.
Mr Gounden, in his address, pointed out that Tamil was a language that originated in the first century BC and that it was more than 5 000 years old.
Southside FM Radio
He disclosed at the end of his speech that a Tamil radio station, Southside FM Radio, will be launched soon and that all South Africans of Tamil and Telugu origins must support the radio station.
He said if everything went according to plam, Southside FM would be launched within six months.
Shri Siva Subramaniar Aalyam
A similar event promoting the Tamil language, culture, music and traditions was held at the historic Shri Siva Subramaniar Aalayam in Umdloti Drift, Verulam on Sunday, October 9.
Several cultural, musical and religious groups from all over Verulam rendered items that glorified the rich heritage brought to South Africa by Indian indentured sugar cane labourers more than 150 years ago. The organisations that participated included the SSS Aalayam Service, Verulam Kalay Khazagam, Saro Moodley Kalay Sangam, Tea Estate Service Group, Havenridge Service Group, and the Verulam Cultural Group.
Some of the items included an invocation dance by Miss Derosha Moodley, a member of Sivan Sabhay; the Gargam dance by Maliga Naidoo, Jayaranjani Govender and Saro Moodley; a tiny tots representation of Mother Sakthi, Mother Lutchmee and Mother Sarasvathi by Nikita Naicker, Keesha and Simran; a Peacock Dance; and a mother-daughter dialogue by seventy-eight-year-old Mrs Savandaly Rajgopal and Mrs Saro Moodley about the latest social decline in moral values.
One of the veterans of the SSS Aalyam, Mrs Krishnaneela Naidoo, provided outstanding musical support for the dancers and singers through the harmonium.
Professor Chandru Kisten
The chairman of the Shri Siva Subramariar Aalayam, Professor Chandru Kisten, told the gathering that it was the duty of all people, especially parents, cultural and musical organisations, to keep alive the rich heritage of "our ancestors".
"We have no alternative but to ensure that we continue to promote our cultures, languages and traditions," said Professor Kisten.
"Our rich cultures will help us to combat the social problems that our youth face today."
A renaissance of cultures, languages and traditions among Indian-origin people
By Marimuthu Subramoney
(aka Subry Govender)
Now that the political struggles for a free and democratic South Africa is over, there seems to be a revolution within the Indian-origin community to vigorously promote their cultures, languages, music and traditions.
This became apparent over the past few weeks when cultural and other organisations held special events to promote the rich cultural heritage and legacy of the ancestors of the Indian-origin people.
Hundreds of organisations in Verulam, Tongaat, Chakaskraal, other parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the country at large have emphasised through their functions the importance and beauty of Indian-origin cultures, traditions and languages in our multi-cultural society.
Professor Chandru Kisten
At a Saravathie celebration event in Verulam last Sunday, the president of the Shri Siva Subramaniar Aalyam in Verulam, Professor Chandru Kisten, praised South Africans of Indian-origin for passionately promoting "the rich cultures and languages of our ancestors".
He was of the view that the different communities must re-inculcate their cultural values in order to tackle the social problems that seriously affect many communities.
It is interesting to note that the rising increase in drug and alcohol abuse and other anti-social addiction are, according to Professor Kisten and other leaders, due directly to the people becoming besotten and mesmerised by negative values and influences.
Renaissance
It is, therefore, heartening to witness organisations and their members once again involved in aggressively promoting their cultures, traditions and languages. It appears to be some sort of a renaissance.
They realise that communities without their cultures, traditions and languages will become lost and sooner or later they will degenerate and destroy themselves.
The organisations and their members have nothing to be apologetic when propogating their different cultures because the new non-racial and democratic South Africa is a multi-cultural society. No one culture, tradition or language should claim to be superior or try to dominate in our new South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlall Nehru
In this regard, we should take note of what India's great freedom fighter and spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi, once said about the importance of one's culture in a multi-cultural society.
He said: "I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any."
India's first Prime Minister at independence in 1947, Mr Jawaharlall Nehru, had this to say about the importance of one's culture:
"Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit." - Subry Govender, Chief Editor
(aka Subry Govender)
Now that the political struggles for a free and democratic South Africa is over, there seems to be a revolution within the Indian-origin community to vigorously promote their cultures, languages, music and traditions.
This became apparent over the past few weeks when cultural and other organisations held special events to promote the rich cultural heritage and legacy of the ancestors of the Indian-origin people.
Hundreds of organisations in Verulam, Tongaat, Chakaskraal, other parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the country at large have emphasised through their functions the importance and beauty of Indian-origin cultures, traditions and languages in our multi-cultural society.
Professor Chandru Kisten
At a Saravathie celebration event in Verulam last Sunday, the president of the Shri Siva Subramaniar Aalyam in Verulam, Professor Chandru Kisten, praised South Africans of Indian-origin for passionately promoting "the rich cultures and languages of our ancestors".
He was of the view that the different communities must re-inculcate their cultural values in order to tackle the social problems that seriously affect many communities.
It is interesting to note that the rising increase in drug and alcohol abuse and other anti-social addiction are, according to Professor Kisten and other leaders, due directly to the people becoming besotten and mesmerised by negative values and influences.
Renaissance
It is, therefore, heartening to witness organisations and their members once again involved in aggressively promoting their cultures, traditions and languages. It appears to be some sort of a renaissance.
They realise that communities without their cultures, traditions and languages will become lost and sooner or later they will degenerate and destroy themselves.
The organisations and their members have nothing to be apologetic when propogating their different cultures because the new non-racial and democratic South Africa is a multi-cultural society. No one culture, tradition or language should claim to be superior or try to dominate in our new South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlall Nehru
In this regard, we should take note of what India's great freedom fighter and spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi, once said about the importance of one's culture in a multi-cultural society.
He said: "I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any."
India's first Prime Minister at independence in 1947, Mr Jawaharlall Nehru, had this to say about the importance of one's culture:
"Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit." - Subry Govender, Chief Editor
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Venk-pac International Week of Aged launched in Verulam
By Marimuthu Subramoney
More than 1 000 people, mainly the elderly and the aged, enjoyed a day of fun and entertainment at the official launch of the Venk-pac International Week of the Aged in the V J Kara Hall at the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre on Sunday, October 2.
The elderly were brought to the centre in special buses from KwaMashu, Phoenix, Tongaat, Stanger, Verulan and surrounding areas.
The event, organised by the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre, was sponsored by Mr Ricky and Mrs Shamala Naidoo of the company, Venk-Pac.
The elderly were treated to song, dance, and drama by some senior citizens. The entertainment items included a "Senorita Dance" by members of the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre; a traditional Zulu dance by the Satellite Club; and a sugar cane cutter's dance sequence by Mr Ganas Sunny of Tongaat.
Some of the special guests who attended the occasion included Mr Sunny Subban, a former chairperson of the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre; and Mr Ken Rajoo, president of the Verulam Child and Family Welfare Society.
Public Protector
The guest of honour was the CEO in the office of the Public Protector, Mr Themba Mthethwa, who represented the Public Protector, Ms Thuli Madonsela.
In his speech, Mr Mthethwa praised the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre officials and the sponsors for their work in promoting the quality of life of the elderly and the aged.
"Without the goodwill of sponsors it would be very difficult to take care of all the needs of the elderly," said Mr Mthethwa.
He gave a detailed account of the work of the Public Protector and said the Public Protector was constituted to investigate all forms of maladminstration, abuse of power, abuse of state resources, and corruption in all state departments, and state entities such as Eskom, SABC, Telkom, Water Boards.
Corruption
The Public Protector also had the power in terms of the constitution to investigate the conduct of the Executive, which included the President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, and MECs.
Mr Mthethwa said the Public Protector tackled all forms of complaints, including concerns expressed by senior citizens regarding poor service delivery at the hands of organs of state.
"Recently, the Public Protector embarked on a two months stakeholder consultation road show, where she criss-crossed the country, interactiong with a lot of ordinary people, including older citizens.
"It is clear from these interactions that older persons still grapple with a lot of service delivery issues and others that are unique to you," he said.
He told the senior citizens that if they encountered poor service delivery, lack of proper conduct or corrupt practices at the hands of state organs, then they must lodge their complaints with the Public Protector.
"In the event that you do not get joy from these institutions, our office will be there to assist you.
"Our ultimate goal is to strengthen constitutional democracy by promoting good governance, adherence to human rights and respect for the rule of law. This will help us realise our ideal of an accountable state that operates with the highest level of integrity while being responsive to the needs of its entire people, including the children."
Mr Mthethwa warned that if South Africans failed to tackle corruption "then our children will leave the country because in a matter of time we would have depleted our resources".
"We have to ensure that our country becomes less corrupt. It's a joint effort both by the citizens and the state to ensure that we become less corrupt," said Mr Mthethwa.
More than 1 000 people, mainly the elderly and the aged, enjoyed a day of fun and entertainment at the official launch of the Venk-pac International Week of the Aged in the V J Kara Hall at the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre on Sunday, October 2.
The elderly were brought to the centre in special buses from KwaMashu, Phoenix, Tongaat, Stanger, Verulan and surrounding areas.
The event, organised by the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre, was sponsored by Mr Ricky and Mrs Shamala Naidoo of the company, Venk-Pac.
The elderly were treated to song, dance, and drama by some senior citizens. The entertainment items included a "Senorita Dance" by members of the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre; a traditional Zulu dance by the Satellite Club; and a sugar cane cutter's dance sequence by Mr Ganas Sunny of Tongaat.
Some of the special guests who attended the occasion included Mr Sunny Subban, a former chairperson of the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre; and Mr Ken Rajoo, president of the Verulam Child and Family Welfare Society.
Public Protector
The guest of honour was the CEO in the office of the Public Protector, Mr Themba Mthethwa, who represented the Public Protector, Ms Thuli Madonsela.
In his speech, Mr Mthethwa praised the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre officials and the sponsors for their work in promoting the quality of life of the elderly and the aged.
"Without the goodwill of sponsors it would be very difficult to take care of all the needs of the elderly," said Mr Mthethwa.
He gave a detailed account of the work of the Public Protector and said the Public Protector was constituted to investigate all forms of maladminstration, abuse of power, abuse of state resources, and corruption in all state departments, and state entities such as Eskom, SABC, Telkom, Water Boards.
Corruption
The Public Protector also had the power in terms of the constitution to investigate the conduct of the Executive, which included the President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, and MECs.
Mr Mthethwa said the Public Protector tackled all forms of complaints, including concerns expressed by senior citizens regarding poor service delivery at the hands of organs of state.
"Recently, the Public Protector embarked on a two months stakeholder consultation road show, where she criss-crossed the country, interactiong with a lot of ordinary people, including older citizens.
"It is clear from these interactions that older persons still grapple with a lot of service delivery issues and others that are unique to you," he said.
He told the senior citizens that if they encountered poor service delivery, lack of proper conduct or corrupt practices at the hands of state organs, then they must lodge their complaints with the Public Protector.
"In the event that you do not get joy from these institutions, our office will be there to assist you.
"Our ultimate goal is to strengthen constitutional democracy by promoting good governance, adherence to human rights and respect for the rule of law. This will help us realise our ideal of an accountable state that operates with the highest level of integrity while being responsive to the needs of its entire people, including the children."
Mr Mthethwa warned that if South Africans failed to tackle corruption "then our children will leave the country because in a matter of time we would have depleted our resources".
"We have to ensure that our country becomes less corrupt. It's a joint effort both by the citizens and the state to ensure that we become less corrupt," said Mr Mthethwa.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
"Beta (son) you must aim for higher education" - an advice that Ramdhari Ragunath Singh took seriosuly
(aka Subry Govender)
By Marimuthu Subramoney
"Beta (son) you must aim for higher education as this is the only way one improves in life."
This the advice that an indentured grand-father gave his grand-son, Ramdhari Ragunath Singh, on a regular basis when they used to work together on their 50-acre sugar farm at Redcliffe, near Verulam, on the North Coast.
Mr Singh, a former school principal and teacher who worked as an educator for 38 years, will celebrate his 91st
on October 25.
Born at Redcliffe on October 25 1920, Mr Singh, popularly known as R R, told me about his family's connections with India, his rise from a humble farm boy to a school principal, and his involvement in sporting and social activities in an interview at his home.
His grand-father, Mr Madho Singh, was a Sikh. He came from the village of Cholapur, near the temple town of Benares in North India, in 1890 and worked as an indentured labourer at the Waterloo Sugar Estate, near Verulam.
While working as an indentured labourer, his grandfather made some cash by lending money to his fellow indentured labourers.
"When he completed his indenture he used some of the money he had saved to buy a 50-acre farm in Redcliffe for two-and-half-crowns(25 cents) an acre," said Mr Singh who is still lively and sprightly at 91.
His grand-father married a local Indian girl and they had two sons and three daughters.
Mr Singh was the off-spring of one of the sons, Ragunath. His father and mother, Jugwanthee, had four other children - two boys and two sisters.
Only his sister, Mrs Nihaldai Goodie(86), who still lives at Redcliffe with her family, is alive today.
"My grandfather and my uncles and aunties used to work very hard on the farm. They planted sugar cane, vegetables and fruits. I remember when I was a young boy I also joined my grandfather reaping the sugar cane and transporting it to the local sugar mill in Verulam," said Mr Singh.
"It was during these times that my grandfather used to urge me not to give up on my education. He used to say: 'Beta, you must aim for higher education'.
"I will never forget his words of advice."
"I only completed standard nine and went back to work on the farm with my brothers and sisters. One day while working on the field, the principal of the Verulam school, Mr S R Maharaj, came to see us and asked me what I was doing.
"I told him that I had completed standard nine and at that I was assisting my grandfather in the sugar cane farm. He said he had a vacancy in his school and he wanted me to join him as a teacher.
"I started work at my former school as a teacher for five pounds (R10 at that time) a month. But while working here, Mr Maharaj not only helped me with my work as a teacher, but also encouraged me to continue with my higher education. I enrolled to study for my BA degree even though I did not complete my matriculation," he said.
In 1952 he was transferred to the newly-established Verulam High School where he worked under L G Joshua for a year.
"Then in 1953 one of the most famous principals, Simon David, was appointed to take over the leadership of Verulam High. I worked under Mr David from 1953 to 1959. This period was one of my best as a teacher. Mr David was a very dedicated and committed principal who wanted to his educators to teach and his pupils to learn. He took no nonsense and called both teachers and pupils to order when they transgressed.
"I remember once he called me into his office and said 'Mr Singh I want to offer you the position to teach History'. I said I wouldn't like the other teacher who also wanted the position to think I was taking his job.
"Mr David looked at me and said: 'Mr Singh you either accept the position voluntarily or I will make an order that you become the history teacher'. I had no option but follow the order.
"One of the pupils in my history class was Paul David, the son of Simon David. I remember Paul as a very bright boy who asked a lot of questions. Paul went onto to become a lawyer and become involved in the public life of our people."
From Verulam High, Mr Singh was transferred to the Madhosingh Primary School in Redcliffe as an acting principal in 1960. The school was built by his grandfather. Thereafter, he served as principal in several schools in Avoca and Isisinembe on the North Coast before returning to Madhosingh in 1976. He retired in 1979 after being in the profession for 38 years.
"My success in life as a teacher is entirely due to the encouragement that my indentured grandfather gave me in my early life. He was an inspiration not only for the family but also for the community as he built a school for the children of Redcliffe.
"He also did a lot of community and religious work. He made a big contribution towards the construction of the Shree Gopalal Temple in Temple Valley in Verulam."
Mr Singh also excelled in the sporting fields. During his days at Sastri College he played soccer and cricket. He remembers that he played football with a former pioneer of Verulam, N C Moodley, and Kista Naidoo, who at one time played for the South African Indian team.
He took a keen interest in community and social work. He served the Verulam Crematorium Trust as First Secretary; the Fellowship of Retired Teachers as First Secretary; the Verulam Diwali Charity; Verulam Football Association and the Verulam Cricket Association.
"We as people of Indian origin have come a long way since our forefathers came from India in 1860," he said.
"This is only due to the fact that our forefathers emphasised education and took measures to build temples, other religious institutions and promoted their cultures. This is what will keep us going for another 150 years.
"Without a decent education and being involved in our cultural and spiritual advancement we will be lost.
"But I am not too happy about what is happening currently. There is just too much violent crime and we live like prisoners in our own homes. This was not the situation 20 years ago. We all lived like one big family and everyone took care of one another. Today we don't even worry about our neighbours. It's a very sad development.
"Families are also disintegrating. We don't enjoy the extended family system anymore.
"But despite all the problems we have to continue to promote our cultures, languages, and religions," he said.
Although now in his twilight years, Mr Singh keeps fit by getting up every morning at 4:30am, then doing his Yoga and other exercises, having his breakfast, walking several kilometres, and returning home to read religious books.
"I have had a full life and have nothing to complain about. I stay with my son and daughter-in-law and they look after me very well. I am blessed. I am a proud descendant of my grandfather who came here from India to work as an indentured labourer."
Mr Singh, whose wife died some years ago, has two sons and one daughter, who has migrated to Australia with her family. His eldest son also passed away a few years ago.
Murders So Foul
By Marimuthu Subramoney
(aka Subry Govender)
Mr Soodama Ramlall, 81, and his wife, Bhana, 70, were two senior citizens enjoying their retirement years at their humble home in Valdin Heights, Verulam. Their residential area was built about 17 years ago and all the families in their road formed a closely knit community.
The Ramlalls' had one of their three sons living with them, while most of their other family members lived in the vicinity. They were comfortable and had no concerns about their safety.
But in the early hours of Saturday, September 24, they became the latest victims of the vicious and brutal crime wave that has engulfed Verulam and other surrounding areas. Some unknown animals (even animals would not descend to such levels) gained entry into their home and snuffed out their lives. Mr Ramlall, a paraplegic, and his diebetic wife were beaten with a blunt instrument, gagged and strangled.
The criminals then ransacked the house and helped themselves to jewellery, cash and electrical goods. There's no doubt that the criminals would try to flog the jewellery that they had stolen to people who place "Cash for Gold" advertisements on trees, electricity poles and other strategic points.
At the time of the tragedy, the Ramlalls' youngest son was not at home.
The Ramlall's son-in-law, Mr Radesh Ramchurran, who lives a short distance away, was the first person who rushed to the house at about 8am on Saturday morning after being informed that his in-laws were not answering the door. Ramchurran gave permission to members of the private security company, RUSA, to break the front door of the house in order to check what had happened to his in-laws.
"What we found was horrifying. Both my elderly in-laws were lying dead with pieces of cloths shoved into their mouths. They had also been beaten very badly. The people who murdered them had gained entry into the house through the roof.
"We are all shocked and cannot understand why they had to be killed. If the people who gained entry wanted to steal they could have helped themselves to whatever they wanted because my father-in-law was crippled and my mother-in-law had eye problems because of diabetes."
Hundreds of shocked relatives, neighbours and friends attended the funeral of the Ramlalls yesterday. They also could not believe that human beings could be responsible for such brutal murders of an elderly couple who could not defend themselves.
The murders of the Ramlalls follow the murder early this year of an elderly woman, Mrs Baker, who lived alone in the nearby suburb of Everest Heights.
The police say the Ramlalls have been "soft targets" and they are investigating.
But the question that most people are asking is: "When are these dastardly deeds going to come to an end?" and "How long must families of victims wait for the murderers to be arrested and brought to book?"
Since the early 1990s literally hundreds of people have been brutally and mercilessly murdered in and around the Durban-Verulam-Tongaat and other areas, but in many cases, families are still waiting for the murderers to be brought to book.
The people have had enough of these senseless killings and the authorities must be called to account for their failure to track down many of these murderers and to bring them to justice.
Enough is enough. The authorities must either safeguard its citizens or step down from their high office. We cannot allow South Africa to become a lawless state. The death penalty should be restored if there's no other effective deterrent. - Subry Govender, Chief Editor
(aka Subry Govender)
Mr Soodama Ramlall, 81, and his wife, Bhana, 70, were two senior citizens enjoying their retirement years at their humble home in Valdin Heights, Verulam. Their residential area was built about 17 years ago and all the families in their road formed a closely knit community.
The Ramlalls' had one of their three sons living with them, while most of their other family members lived in the vicinity. They were comfortable and had no concerns about their safety.
But in the early hours of Saturday, September 24, they became the latest victims of the vicious and brutal crime wave that has engulfed Verulam and other surrounding areas. Some unknown animals (even animals would not descend to such levels) gained entry into their home and snuffed out their lives. Mr Ramlall, a paraplegic, and his diebetic wife were beaten with a blunt instrument, gagged and strangled.
The criminals then ransacked the house and helped themselves to jewellery, cash and electrical goods. There's no doubt that the criminals would try to flog the jewellery that they had stolen to people who place "Cash for Gold" advertisements on trees, electricity poles and other strategic points.
At the time of the tragedy, the Ramlalls' youngest son was not at home.
The Ramlall's son-in-law, Mr Radesh Ramchurran, who lives a short distance away, was the first person who rushed to the house at about 8am on Saturday morning after being informed that his in-laws were not answering the door. Ramchurran gave permission to members of the private security company, RUSA, to break the front door of the house in order to check what had happened to his in-laws.
"What we found was horrifying. Both my elderly in-laws were lying dead with pieces of cloths shoved into their mouths. They had also been beaten very badly. The people who murdered them had gained entry into the house through the roof.
"We are all shocked and cannot understand why they had to be killed. If the people who gained entry wanted to steal they could have helped themselves to whatever they wanted because my father-in-law was crippled and my mother-in-law had eye problems because of diabetes."
Hundreds of shocked relatives, neighbours and friends attended the funeral of the Ramlalls yesterday. They also could not believe that human beings could be responsible for such brutal murders of an elderly couple who could not defend themselves.
The murders of the Ramlalls follow the murder early this year of an elderly woman, Mrs Baker, who lived alone in the nearby suburb of Everest Heights.
The police say the Ramlalls have been "soft targets" and they are investigating.
But the question that most people are asking is: "When are these dastardly deeds going to come to an end?" and "How long must families of victims wait for the murderers to be arrested and brought to book?"
Since the early 1990s literally hundreds of people have been brutally and mercilessly murdered in and around the Durban-Verulam-Tongaat and other areas, but in many cases, families are still waiting for the murderers to be brought to book.
The people have had enough of these senseless killings and the authorities must be called to account for their failure to track down many of these murderers and to bring them to justice.
Enough is enough. The authorities must either safeguard its citizens or step down from their high office. We cannot allow South Africa to become a lawless state. The death penalty should be restored if there's no other effective deterrent. - Subry Govender, Chief Editor
Friday, September 23, 2011
From the canefields to great heights in the social, community and financial world for Tongaat's Balan Subramunier
By Marimuthu Subramoney
(aka Subry Govender)
The desire by a successful Tongaat financial consultant to be involved in the social upliftment of the poor and the disadvantaged has its roots in his early life as a sugar cane labourer.
When he was 12-years-old, he and his large family of three brothers, four sisters and mother found themselves in dire straits after their father died at the young age of 42.
Their plight was so heart-wrenching that they had to rely on the assistance of the Tongaat Child and Family Welfare Society and other well-wishers for survival.
"It's this assistance and help that encouraged me to become involved in social welfare, religious, sporting and political work since my early 20s," said 65-year-old Mr Pubalan "Balan" Subramunier in an interview at his offices in the Gateway business area recently.
Born in the Sandfields farming area in June 1945, Subramunier experienced extreme poverty from an early age. He was a member of a huge brood of three other brothers, four sisters and his parents. They lived on a "lease-hold" tin shanty in the farm and his father, Subramunier Pillay, worked as a sugar estate sardar and insurance agent to support the family.
"Although we were very poor, we managed to have at least one meal a day and make do with the barest of necessities. Most days our food consisted of mealie rice and dhall. In 1947 our lives turned upside down when my father died at the young age of 42. My mother then worked as a domestic for an Indian business family but the money she earned was not enough.
"My elder brother, elder sister and I worked in the sugar fields to help my mother. We had to work eight to nine hours a day for the 25 cents pittance we were paid. But because of the slave wages and grinding poverty we were forced out of our lease-hold house. We then moved to Diptown Barracks in 1958.
"It was during this period that we were assisted by the child welfare society. At this time my mother worked as a labourer for Tongaat Hullet at the golf course."
Because of the poverty situation, young Subramunier could not complete his secondary school education. He started to work in his early teens for a clothing factory and thereafter for 10 years did odd jobs at Wentworth Hospital, for a motor spares company and a scales company in Durban.
When he was 26-years-old he was recruited by a friend to work as a life assurance salesman for Prudential Life Assurance Company, which later became known as Liberty Life. He has been attached to the company now for nearly 40 years.
"When I first started work I became interested in the Tongaat Child Welfare and started to attend meetings. I used to sit at the back because I was still new in the field of social work."
Mr Subramunier has been with the Tongaat Child Welfare for more than 40 years and had served the organisation as its secretary for five years, vice-president for a year before being elected president in 1992. He held the position for four years until 1996.
"I stepped down in 1996 because I wanted to give the younger people a chance to occupy senior positions. However, I am still involved as a vice-president.
"Over the years I have found that I fully understood the plight of the downtrodden and the poor because of my own experiences as a young boy. I cannot forget where my brothers, sisters and I came from. I will continue to be involved in social work because we have to give something back to society."
Mr Subramunier is also involved with the Sandfields Temple, an institution "that is in my blood".
"The temple was part of our lives in our early years and at times I feel that I was born in the temple. After I moved back to Sandfields in the 1970s, I became fully involved with the Temple."
He served the temple as its secretary for 12 years, president for six years and currently was the Public Relations Officer.
He is also currently secretary of the Springfield Hindu Vernacular Trust, which owns the Sandfields Primary School.
In the sporting world, he played soccer for Young Callies, Hillview Rangers and was also involved in the Commercial League. Currently he is a patron of the Maidstone Football Club.
In addition to his social, religious and sporting involvement, Mr Subramunier became involved in the ANC in Tongaat after the release of Nelson Mandela and other political leaders and the unbanning of the ANC and other organisations in 1990.
"I have always been involved with the Natal Indian Congress and when the ANC was unbanned it was only natural for me to enter the fray and contribute to the transformation process. I also had the good fortune of meeting Mr Mandela four times. These meetings have encouraged me to continue with my work in the social and other fields.
"I was also influenced by Mr Billy Nair when he moved to the Tongaat area after his release from prison. My father, who was a supporter of the NIC, also infused some political awareness in me.
"Although I am a staunch member of the ANC I am somewhat disappointed that many of the current people are not following the values and principles of Nelson Mandela, Billy Nair and other leaders. The fraud and corruption has disillusioned me and many other people."
Mr Subramunier, who is the descendant of grand parents who arrived in South Africa in the early 1900s to work as indentured labourers, is proud of his heritage while at the same time emphasising that "I am first and foremost a South African".
"We have to strongly promote our cultures, religions and languages because without these we will be lost."
He has received several awards for his work in the social and civic fields. The most prestigious award being the Inaugural Mayoral Award for Community Services in 1998. In his professional life as well Mr Subramunier has been recoginised for his service by being elected as an official of the international life assurance organisation, Million Dollar Round Table, and the South African Life Underwriters Association. At the MDRT conference in Toronto, Canada, Mr Subramunier carried the South African flag during the flag ceremony on the main platform.
Mr Subramunier's life has been described best by one of his colleagues, Ms Shirley Hunsewraj, in a company newsletter. She said he was "a humble and gentle person who has been an inspiration to all".
She wrote: "Balan stirred in me a need to serve our greater community as part of our human duty, to strive towards perfection, to aim high and work towards those goals and never to lose sight of the greater person I can be."
Mr Subramunier and his wife, Sheila, have two sons and one grand-child.
(aka Subry Govender)
The desire by a successful Tongaat financial consultant to be involved in the social upliftment of the poor and the disadvantaged has its roots in his early life as a sugar cane labourer.
When he was 12-years-old, he and his large family of three brothers, four sisters and mother found themselves in dire straits after their father died at the young age of 42.
Their plight was so heart-wrenching that they had to rely on the assistance of the Tongaat Child and Family Welfare Society and other well-wishers for survival.
"It's this assistance and help that encouraged me to become involved in social welfare, religious, sporting and political work since my early 20s," said 65-year-old Mr Pubalan "Balan" Subramunier in an interview at his offices in the Gateway business area recently.
Born in the Sandfields farming area in June 1945, Subramunier experienced extreme poverty from an early age. He was a member of a huge brood of three other brothers, four sisters and his parents. They lived on a "lease-hold" tin shanty in the farm and his father, Subramunier Pillay, worked as a sugar estate sardar and insurance agent to support the family.
"Although we were very poor, we managed to have at least one meal a day and make do with the barest of necessities. Most days our food consisted of mealie rice and dhall. In 1947 our lives turned upside down when my father died at the young age of 42. My mother then worked as a domestic for an Indian business family but the money she earned was not enough.
"My elder brother, elder sister and I worked in the sugar fields to help my mother. We had to work eight to nine hours a day for the 25 cents pittance we were paid. But because of the slave wages and grinding poverty we were forced out of our lease-hold house. We then moved to Diptown Barracks in 1958.
"It was during this period that we were assisted by the child welfare society. At this time my mother worked as a labourer for Tongaat Hullet at the golf course."
Because of the poverty situation, young Subramunier could not complete his secondary school education. He started to work in his early teens for a clothing factory and thereafter for 10 years did odd jobs at Wentworth Hospital, for a motor spares company and a scales company in Durban.
When he was 26-years-old he was recruited by a friend to work as a life assurance salesman for Prudential Life Assurance Company, which later became known as Liberty Life. He has been attached to the company now for nearly 40 years.
"When I first started work I became interested in the Tongaat Child Welfare and started to attend meetings. I used to sit at the back because I was still new in the field of social work."
Mr Subramunier has been with the Tongaat Child Welfare for more than 40 years and had served the organisation as its secretary for five years, vice-president for a year before being elected president in 1992. He held the position for four years until 1996.
"I stepped down in 1996 because I wanted to give the younger people a chance to occupy senior positions. However, I am still involved as a vice-president.
"Over the years I have found that I fully understood the plight of the downtrodden and the poor because of my own experiences as a young boy. I cannot forget where my brothers, sisters and I came from. I will continue to be involved in social work because we have to give something back to society."
Mr Subramunier is also involved with the Sandfields Temple, an institution "that is in my blood".
"The temple was part of our lives in our early years and at times I feel that I was born in the temple. After I moved back to Sandfields in the 1970s, I became fully involved with the Temple."
He served the temple as its secretary for 12 years, president for six years and currently was the Public Relations Officer.
He is also currently secretary of the Springfield Hindu Vernacular Trust, which owns the Sandfields Primary School.
In the sporting world, he played soccer for Young Callies, Hillview Rangers and was also involved in the Commercial League. Currently he is a patron of the Maidstone Football Club.
In addition to his social, religious and sporting involvement, Mr Subramunier became involved in the ANC in Tongaat after the release of Nelson Mandela and other political leaders and the unbanning of the ANC and other organisations in 1990.
"I have always been involved with the Natal Indian Congress and when the ANC was unbanned it was only natural for me to enter the fray and contribute to the transformation process. I also had the good fortune of meeting Mr Mandela four times. These meetings have encouraged me to continue with my work in the social and other fields.
"I was also influenced by Mr Billy Nair when he moved to the Tongaat area after his release from prison. My father, who was a supporter of the NIC, also infused some political awareness in me.
"Although I am a staunch member of the ANC I am somewhat disappointed that many of the current people are not following the values and principles of Nelson Mandela, Billy Nair and other leaders. The fraud and corruption has disillusioned me and many other people."
Mr Subramunier, who is the descendant of grand parents who arrived in South Africa in the early 1900s to work as indentured labourers, is proud of his heritage while at the same time emphasising that "I am first and foremost a South African".
"We have to strongly promote our cultures, religions and languages because without these we will be lost."
He has received several awards for his work in the social and civic fields. The most prestigious award being the Inaugural Mayoral Award for Community Services in 1998. In his professional life as well Mr Subramunier has been recoginised for his service by being elected as an official of the international life assurance organisation, Million Dollar Round Table, and the South African Life Underwriters Association. At the MDRT conference in Toronto, Canada, Mr Subramunier carried the South African flag during the flag ceremony on the main platform.
Mr Subramunier's life has been described best by one of his colleagues, Ms Shirley Hunsewraj, in a company newsletter. She said he was "a humble and gentle person who has been an inspiration to all".
She wrote: "Balan stirred in me a need to serve our greater community as part of our human duty, to strive towards perfection, to aim high and work towards those goals and never to lose sight of the greater person I can be."
Mr Subramunier and his wife, Sheila, have two sons and one grand-child.
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