"Power is Ours"

'The power is ours' In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa after spending 27 years behind bars. Correspondent Subry Govender remembers reporting from Cape Town.

As a correspondent for Deutsche Welle, I have filed literally thousands of reports from South Africa since the 1970s. But the most memorable coverage is - and always will be - the release of Nelson Mandela from prison on February 11, 1990. From early morning, I was sitting in my small hotel room, monitoring local TV and radio stations to get the latest about Mandela's planned release. Then I got in touch with DW in Cologne. "Get as much sound as you can from Mandela and the people," DW's English service head Dieter Brauer told me. Together with other journalists, I jumped into a car and drove to the prison, about 15 kilometers away. Moral support from Deutsche Welle I watched from a distance as Mandela walked through the prison gate, holding hands with his wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. He lifted his right hand into the air, giving the power salute. He was smiling and greeting people, while the crowd around me started shedding tears, while some started dancing and screaming for joy. Seeing Mandela walking, I felt a lump in my throat. Mandela had been a source of inspiration for me. From 1980 to the end of 1983, the apartheid regime had banned me from working as a journalist. They had disliked my reports for Deutsche Welle and considered me to be a "threat to the security of the state." It was Dieter Brauer who visited me nine years earlier in my hometown of Durban and gave me the moral support I needed to carry on despite the ban. Some prominent figures from the United Democratic Front (UDF), the internal wing of the ANC, had waited at the prison gate to receive Mandela. They told us that we should gather at the center of Cape Town - where he would address a rally. When we arrived there, it was a scene I'll remember for the rest of my life: Tens of thousands of people, dressed in the colors the ANC's yellow, black and green. Freedom songs filled the air and the shouts from thousands: "Amandla Awethu" - "Power is ours." Sending Mandela's words around the world Pushing back my own emotions, I went around interviewing people and recording their jovial mood. When Mandela arrived and took to the stage, there was a massive roar from the crowd. A smiling and jubilant Mandela punched his fist into the air and shouted: "Amandla, Amandla - Power, Power." The tens of thousands of people returned the chant with lively vigor. I worked my way through the throngs of people to get to the stage and placed my recorder near a mike to capture Mandela's first words to the people of South Africa in more than 27 years. I recorded his entire speech and used sections for my report that evening for DW. "I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people," he said. "Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I, therefore, place the remaining years of my life in your hands." I witnessed the dawn of a new era with the release of Mandela - but my greatest joy and honor was that I had the chance to pass it on to the listeners of Deutsche Welle around the globe.

Southside FM Radio to be granted frequency soon

SOUTHSIDE FM RADIO (NPO No: 089-426) 59 Musgrave Road, Durban P.O. Box 486 Verulam 4340 Tel: 031 - 568 1309/082 376 9053 email: subrygovender@gmail.com June 6 2013 LATEST DEVELOPMENTAL REPORT -------------------------------------------------------------- FREQUENCY ------------------------- It's with great relief and satisfaction that we wish to report that our long and arduous efforts over the past four years to launch a radio station to promote the cultures, traditions and languages of the descendants of indentured labourers whose mother tongues are Tamil and Telugu is on the verge of becoming a reality soon. We wish to report to our sponsors, donors and supporters that ICASA has finally given a firm undertaking that our frequency in the Durban area would be finalised as soon as possible. The following letter by ICASA's manager for technical services, Mr Monde Mbanga, outlines the latest situation: "On 5/27/13, Monde Mbanga wrote: Dear Subry, As highlighted in my previous email, there is good progress on this matter. The following has been achieved thus far: 1. Sentech has submitted a proposed solution 2. ICASA confirmed the solution's feasibility and viability 3. Now ,Sentech is engaging SABC on the Logistics of the testing and implementation of the proposed solution 4. I'll advise you of the development after my second meeting with Sentech where the implementation and the timelines of this solution for Southside FM will be finalised. 5. Your patience will be highly appreciated 6. Please refrain from including chairperson's in our operational discussions, there is enough progress and no constraints that require their intervention at this stage. Regards Monde Mbanga" Once the Durban area frequency is finalised, we will utilise the frequencies in the south coast and Pietermaritzburg regions that have already been offered to us. PREMISES -------------------- While we await the finalisation of the frequency in the Durban, we are currently looking at premises that have been offered to us at the Mount Edgecombe Mariammen Cultural Centre and at a building (opposite the R K Khan Hospital) in Chatsworth that has been offered to us by a prominent business well-wisher. He is one of our sponsors but has requested anonymity. A decision on the premises will be taken on this matter as soon as possible. STUDIO AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT ----------------------------------------------------------- At the same time we are carrying out investigations to build our studio and office and to purchase the necessary equipment. In this regard, we attach a document sent to us br Mr Dhunraj Ajodapersadh, General Manager of Facilities at the SABC in Durban, regarding the cost of building our live studio. We want to appeal to our major business personalities and others to sponsor the construction of this live studio. Whoever sponsors this live studio will have his or her name and company permanently recoginised in our live studio. We also list below the following equipment that Mr Ajodapersadh has suggested that is vitally necessary for our live studio: Radio Studio: preferred list · Digital mixer – 6-8 channel · 4 microphones · 4 Headphones · Headphone splitters · 2 Studio monitors · 4 Microphone booms · 1 internet/email computer – social network sites etc · ISDN unit · 2 CD players – multi functional · Flash disk recorder – possibly one portable unit · Dual Telephone hybrid · Radio receiver – for program check · I Plasma Television – audio connected to channel input · Furniture to house equipment · 4 chairs On air and production studios Quantity Equipment Average Prices 2 Digital mixer (12 channels RM 100) R120 000 6/8 Microphone 16 000 6/8 Headphones 4 000 6/8 Microphone stands 8 000 4 Studio monitors 8 000 2 Computer for Digital recording/editing software 6 000 1 Radio receiver 2 000 2 Computer for email/internet 6 000 3 Cd player – multi functional 6 000 2 Dual telephone hybrid 2 000 2 Flashdisk recorders 3 000 2 Distribution amplifier 2 000 2 Headphone splitter 2 000 2 Mini UPS 2 Furniture for equipment 2 000 2 ISDN unit 80 000 1 Cables; connectors; installation 1 Electrical; doors; sound absorption cladding 1 Big hard drive 2 Office computers (R5 000 each) 10 000 Other office equipment 20 000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total R293 000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that Mr Ajodapersadh of the SABC has advised that these are all average prices. Once again we wish to appeal to our major business personalities and others to sponsor the acquisition of these studio and office equipment. Whoever comes forward to sponsor these will also have their names permanently recoginised in our office. MEETING WITH PROSPECTIVE PRESENTERS AND OTHERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In anticipation of our frequency being finalised soon, we are preparing to hold a meeting with prospective presenters and other interested people, such as advertising representatives, to inform everyone of the progress and the road ahead. This will merely be an informative meeting and NOT a interview process. We will inform all concerned as soon as possiblen of the meeting date, time and venue. OFFICIAL DINNER -------------------------------- Once we have finalised all our plans, we will host an official dinner for the the launch of our much-needed radio station. All our supporters, donors and sponsors will be invited to the official dinner. In addition we will also hold an official dinner in the Johannesburg area. Those living in the Johannesburg area who are keen on the radio station should contact our Board of Governors listed below. CONCLUSION ----------------------- All major business personalities and others who are prepared to sponsor the building of our studio, equipment and office should kindly get in touch with our officials: Mr Balan Gounder, chairperson, (balangounder2@gmail.com - 083 532 5126 or 031 - 30116291), Ms Sally Padaychie (sallymudly@icon.co.za - 031 706 3357), Mr Swaminathan Gounden (devtha@telkomsa.net - 031 - 208292), Mr Richard Naidoo (van@iafrica.com - 031 564 8679), Ms Keresha Govender, treasurer), (kereshag@yahoo.com - 079 493 0603), Mr Denis Naidoo (denisnaidoo@gmail.com - 076 833 0043), Ms Thiru Govender (tpsgovender@yahoo.com), Richard Govender (rpgovender@gmail.com), and Mr Subry Govender (subrygovender@gmail.com - 082 376 9053/031 - 568 1309). We would be grateful to hear from our prospective sponsors at your earliest convenienves. SUBRY GOVENDER Secretary ------------------------------------

Southside FM Radio to be granted a frequency soon

Subry Govender I wish to report that we now finally have positive news about the frequency problems we have been encountering ever since our cultural evening at the MTSS Hall in February last year. Following our meeting with Mr Eric Kholwane, chairperperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Communications Committee and Dr Stephen Ncube, chairperson of ICASA, at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban early in February, Southside officials once again held a very successful meeting with Government officials at the same venue on the afternoon of Friday, April 26 2013. The meeting was initiated and convened by Mr Kholwane. In addition to Mr Kholwane and Dr Ncube, the following people, among others, represented state entities: 1. Dr Setuma Mohapi, CEO of Sentech. 2. Mr Patrick Sikhosana, KZN Manager, Sentech. 3. Mr Nkopane Maphiri, MDDA. 4. Mr Lumbulani R and Mr Jabulani Radebe of the Department of Comunications, and 5. Ms Lulama Makhobo, CEO of SABC. The officials present from our side included: 1. Mr Bala Gounder (Chairperson) 2. Mr Subry Govender (Secretary) 3. Ms Keresha Govender (Treasurer) 4. Mr Swaminathan Gounden 5. Mr Logan Naidoo 6. Mr Denis Naidoo 7. Mr Richard Naidoo (Deputy Chairperson). Mrs Sally Padaychie, wife of the late Minister Roy Padaychie, expressed her apologies for not being able to attend. After the introductions and the main factors made by Mr Kholwane and Mr Balan Gounder about our need for a FM frequency in and around the Durban area, the following points emerged: 1. Dr Mohapi, CEO of Sentech, gave an outline of the frequency that would be made available to us with the assistance of the SABC. Dr Mohapi committed himself and gave an assurance that such a frequency would be made available within the shortest time possible, most likely within a month. 2. Ms Makhobo, CEO of SABC, also made a commitment that she would work with Dr Mohapi in providing us with the necessary frequency. 3. Dr Ncube, Chairperson of ICASA, also pledged his full support in the granting of the frequency and said he was looking forward to the launch of Southside FM Radio. 4. The chairperson, Mr Kholwane, observed that this frequency must be ironed out within the shortest time possible. After Mr Kholwane finalised the matter about the frequency, he called upon the officials of the MDDA and the Department of Communications to assist Southside to get off the ground as per their mandates. The officials in question promised to look at our applications and they gave Southside their contact details. Finally, Mr Kholwane broached the subject of sharing the airtime with the SABC's Lotus FM Radio. The manager present indicated that they were prepared to meet Southside within the next two weeks. The meeting ended very successfully on the undertaking that finally Southside would be granted a frequency and all the officials would be invited to our launch. We wish to point out that we would not have reached this positive stage in our struggles to get Southside off the ground without the assistance of Mr Kholwane. His efforts bring to mind what Nelson Mandela had once said about never giving up in the work that we need do. He said: "The greatest glory in living, lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Now that we have been given an assurance of the frequency, we have to undertake the following actions as speedily as possible: 1. Finalisation of studio site and offices. We have been offered premises at the Mount Edgcombe Mariammen Temple, the MTSS, Chatsworth and Effingham. Whatever site we choose will be finalised through a proper and binding agreement. 2. The building of our studio and equipping our office. 3. Recruitment and training of our presenters. 4. Recruitment of our advertising staff. 5. Recruitment of reporters. 6. Compiling a data base of our music. We wish to make an appeal to all those who submitted their CVs to be presenters and for the other positions to please get in touch with the writer without any delay. (subrygovender@gmail.com) We also wish to appeal to all those donors who had made their pledges but had not finalised their pledges to do so as soon as possible. Our treasurer's contact email is: kereshag@yahoo.com. Now that we will be starting in a few months’ time, we would wish to appeal to all sponsors, donors, supporters and well-wishers to help us in making this long overdue project a huge success by continuing to make their pledges and donations. In the final analysis, we aim to become self-sufficient by generating advertising to meet our costs. We wish to advice that since our successful cultural evening in February last year when donations were made, we did not spend a single cent from the pledges and donations. All work thus far had been carried out by a few hard-working officials because of their commitment to the establishment of a radio station for the descendants of our forefathers and mothers who were brought to South Africa as sugar cane indentured labourers(slaves). ends - Subry Govender

Southside FM Radio Latest Developmental Report April 9 2013

SOUTHSIDE FM RADIO (NPO No: 089-426) No: 59 Musgrave Road, Durban, 4001 Postal address: P.O. Box 486 Verulam 4340 Tel: 031 - 568 1309/082 376 9053 email: subrygovender@gmail.com April 9 2013 Dear Colleagues Vanakkam and Namaskaram. We wish to advise that we are currently negotiating with the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications, Mr Eric Kholwane, about our frequency requirements. You will recall that we held a meeting with Mr Kholwane, Dr Stephen Ncube, Chairperson of ICASA, and another ICASA official in Durban early in February. Both leaders promised to do everything possible for us in getting off the ground. After we Management Committee meeting three weeks ago we have been in contact with Mr Kholwane once again. We enclose a copy of the letter we have written to Mr Kholwane for your information. Once we get a go ahead from Mr Kholwane and ICASA chairperson, Dr Ncube, we would embark on the following: 1. Finalise our premises with a Memorandum of Agreement either with Merebank Tamil School Society(MTSS), Mount Edgecombe Mariammen Temple or Mr Logan Naidoo's office in Musgrave Road, Durban. 2. Build our studio. 3. Invite all those who have sent in their applications to be voluntary presenters, advertising sales representatives and other staff members for a training programme. We wish to advise that our supporters are waiting for us to get off the ground soon and we are only waiting for the finalisation of the FM frequency. Our letter to Mr Kholwane will give you more information. Thanks and kind regards. Subry Govender Secretary ------------------------------ Management Committee: Mr Balan Govender(chaiperson), Ms Sally Padaychie, Mr Logan Naidoo, Ms Keresha Govender(Treasurer), Ms Thirupuri Govender (Asst Secretary), Mr Swaminathan Gounden, Mr Dennis Naidoo, Mr Deven Moodley, Mr Sumeshen Moodley, Mr Senthil Narsigan, Mr Sagie Moodley, Ms T Sanasy, Mr Yugen Nadasen, Mr Morgan Nadasen, Mr Bala Naidoo and Mr Richard Naidoo. SOUTHSIDE FM RADIO (NPO No: 089-426) No: 59 Musgrave Road, Durban, 4001 Postal address: P.O. Box 486 Verulam 4340 Tel: 031 - 568 1309/082 376 9053 email: subrygovender@gmail.com April 5 2013 Mr Eric Kholwane Chairperson Parliamentary Comunnications Portfolio Committee Cape Town Dear Mr Kholwane re: Southside FM Radio - FM frequency and related matters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We sincerely hope that this email will find you in good stead and health. This email is being kindly sent primarily to inform you that we understand your work pressures and commitments. But at the same time we want to check whether there have been any developments regarding our frequency requirements and the proposals made at our meeting in Durban early in February about the sharing of air time with the SABC's Lotus FM? Our Management Committee fully appreciates all your efforts on our behalf and have taken a decision at our last meeting two weeks ago to await your inputs regarding our frequency problems. Our Management Committee wants to re-iterate that we represent an important segment of South African society and that we hold you in high esteem in trying to help us with our frequency requirements. Our Management Committee also wants to re-iterate that activists and leaders emerging from the community had played a very important role in the struggles against apartheid and white-minority rule. It's, therefore, vital that Southside FM Radio should be assisted in getting off the ground and launch as soon as possible. Our Management Committee also re-iterated that Southside FM Radio will play an important role in promoting the true values and principles of the new, non-racial and democratic South Africa. Hoping to hear from your goodself at your earliest convenience and thanking you in anticipation. Yours sincerely M. Subramoney (Secretary) -------------------------------

TAMIL MOVIE PARDESI - BRINGS TO US THE MEMORIES OF THE SUFFERING OF OUR FOREFATHERS AND MOTHERS ON THE SUGAR PLANTATIONS IN THE THEN NATAL COLONY

TAMIL MOVIE PARDESI BRINGS BACK THE SUFFERING, PAIN, HUMILIATION, INDIGNITY AND STRUGGLES OF OUR FOREFATHERS AND MOTHERS ON THE SUGAR PLANTATIONS OF THE THEN NATAL COLONY. By Subry Govender If you want to understand the pain, suffering, indignation, humiliation and struggles of our forefathers and mothers who were brought to work here as "slaves" on the sugar plantations of the then Natal Colony, then you must watch the new Tamil movie, Pardesi, now showing at Gateway. The movie is about the recruitment of people from a village in Tamil Nadu to work as labourers (read slaves) in the tea plantations owned by the former British colonialists in the hill country estates of Tamil Nadu. The recruiter was a local Indian stooge of the white master similar to the agents who recruited our forefathers to work as indentured labourers (read slaves) on the sugar plantations of the then Natal Colony in South Africa. The recruiter (supervisor) promised the people of the rural village proper housing, good working conditions, and decent wages. The same promises that were made to our forefathers when they were brought down here to work as ïndentured labourers. But instead, the poor people of the Salur Village after a walk through forests and bushes lasting nearly 48 days, arrived on the tea plantation to find that there were no proper housing, decent food, health or other facilities. They had to work as slaves and at the end of the first month when they were ready to return home with a bountiful of money they found that they were literally robbed of their wages by the Indian overseers(read stooges and ya baas men of the colonial masters). They were made to pay for the food rations, visits to the doctor(read witch doctor) and other essentials. The young man, around whom the story revolves, left behind his girl-friend and was all ready to return home with lots of money. But instead the wretched youngster was told that he owed the estate for all the food and other things given to him and, therefore, he must remain on the estate for another three years to pay back back the money he owed. In the middle of the night he tried to escape from the estate but was caught by the henchmen of the supervisor (stooge) and had his ankles chopped off. This was to show him and other slaves that they could not escape from the tea plantation. This was the kind of treatment also meted out to our forefathers on the sugar plantations to the north and south coasts of the then Natal Colony. Any show of opposition to the treatment they had suffered was dealt with harshly and there are many accounts of our people being flogged and whipped by the sugar cane owners and supervisors. To add insult to injury of the tea plantations workers under British rule, women were taken advantage of by the white owners. This movie has many other similarities to the suffering of our forefathers and mothers on the sugar plantations. Another feature of the movie that highlights the colonisation of our people in India and here on the sugar plantations is the forced conversion of the people into Christianity. After a plague of some sort on the tea estate, thousands of people literally fell dead in their homes, while slaving on the tea estates and while walking. The local witch doctor could not handle the situation and the tea plantation owner brought in a Indian doctor married to a white woman. This so-called doctor and his white wife, instead of attending to the health needs of the wretched people, began to mesmerise and bluff the workers that if they accept Jesu (Jesus Christ in Tamil) they will be healed of their sufferings. The so-called doctor and his wife put on a fantastic and beautiful fast moving song to get the people all worked up and in the end most of them started clapping and singing about Jesu. What do the so-called doctor and his wife do? They throw back parcels of food to the people. The tragedy of this is that the doctor and his wife go around the people with bowls to collect thites. Thereafter they return to a party hosted by their white colonial masters and indulge in alcohol and other immoral activities.

Southside FM officials hold top-level talks with a Government leader about need for FM frequency

An ICASA official, Mr Dennis Naidoo, Dr Stephen Ncube(chairperson of ICASA), Mr Eric Kholwane(Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications), Mr Logan Naidoo, Mr Richard Naidoo(deputy chairperson of Southside), Mrs Sally Padaychie (wide of the late Minister Roy Padaychie), Ms Keresha Govender and Mr Balan Gounder(chairperson)




By Subry Govender


The initiators of the cultural radio station, Southside FM, are hoping that their need for an FM frequency in and around the Durban area will be resolved soon following talks with a top government leader recently.

This follows their meeting with the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications, Mr Eric Kholwane, in Durban recently.


The chairman of Southside FM Radio, Mr Balan Gounder, said in a
statement that in addition to Mr Kholwane, the chairperson of ICASA, Dr Stephen Ncube, and one of his officials were also present at the meeting held in the boardroom of a leading beachfront hotel in Durban.

Ms Keresha Govender making a point during the meeting with Mr Kholwane and Dr Ncube. Looking on are Mr Balan Gounder, Mrs Sally Padaychie and Mr Logan Naidoo


The Southside delegation included Mr Logan Naidoo, a former
chairperson of Sentech, Mrs Sally Padaychie, widow of the late
Minister Roy Padaychie, Ms Keresha Govender, Mr Richard Naidoo, Mr Denis Naidoo and former struggle journalist, Mr Subry Govender.


He said the Southside FM Radio delegation had given a detailed history and background of the reasons for the need for the launch of the radio station.

Dr Ncube and Mr Kholwane listening attentively to the inputs by Southside officials.


"We pointed out that while we appreciated the granting of frequencies in the Pietermaritzburg and Port Shepstone regions, our main target market was in and around the Durban region," said Mr Gounder.
"We also pointed out that our ultimate goal was to reach our
prospective listeners in the Johannesburg-Pretoria region, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth-East London, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, and the North and South coast regions.
"We also pointed out that we are descendants of indentured labourers and we make up between 55 to 60 percent of the people of Indian origin in South Africa. We pointed out that we cannot understand why this important section of the South African community cannot be assisted in promoting its cultures, languages, music and traditions through a radio station."

Mr Logan Naidoo, Mr Richard Naidoo and Mrs Sally Padaychie


Mr Gounder said they had made a number of proposals to Mr Kholwane and Dr Ncube about how Southside could be assisted to start broadcasting.


"The two leaders gave us a very patient hearing and promised to help us to start broadcasting," he added.


He said ICASA had made an offer of a medium wave frequency and this was being discussed.
Meanwhile, he said they were also taking up their case with other top-ranking leaders.
One of their supporters, Mr Deva Poonoosamy, who is based in London, has also taken up the issue of Southside's FM frequency struggles.

Vasantha Phyllis Ruth Naidoo when addressing UDW graduation ceremony

                                       Dr Vasantha Phyllis Ruth Naidoo


"The greed that characterised apartheid, lives comfortably with us."

"Our politics, our struggle has never been about personal wealth. We did not join the struggle to fill up our back pockets nor did Mini refuse the one chance to life so that you could have a bank balance in Switzerland. " 


By Subry Govender

A few years after the establishment of our new non-racial and democratic South Africa came into being in 1994, struggle stalwart, Phyllis Naidoo, who died recently on February 13 at the age of 85, was bestowed with an honorary doctorate of law by the then University of Durban-Westville. The award was granted to her at the insistence of the Rector at that time, Professor Ramashala.
Phyllis (I used to call her Akaa (elder sister) insisted that she would not accept the award for herself but for all those comrades who had sacrificed their lives and those who had contributed enormously and selflessly to the liberation struggles.
As a mark of respect and gratitude to my Akaa, I reproduce here her inspiring speech that drew frequent loud applauses.
It is an address that some of the present crop of political leaders should read and re-read for their re-commitment in overcoming the current state of acute unemployment, inequality and poverty.
Did you know that when Dr Ramashala conferred the law doctorate she referred to Phyllis by her full name of: Vasantha Phyllis Ruth Naidoo.

This is my Akaa's awe-inspiring address:

　


"Why am I here. What did I do to deserve this honour. Did I produce a mind blowing dissertation on Mathsin Goki, Ngiyaki Kilde, Can Themba, and our own Mandla Langa.

"I did not, so why?

"Actually this is a masquerade. When Professor Ramashala offered me this degree for my contribution to whatever, I responded by telling her that I had acted as a member of various organisations and that I would accept the award on behalf of those who struggled for democracy and especially those who paid the ultimate price.

"She was delighted to do business with me, hence my presence here.

"Briefly the poverty of my family in which I was nurtured taught me valuable lessons of caring and giving.

"My thatha (grand-father) a market gardener after his period of indenture taught me an enduring love of the soil. My dad (Simon David) on a teacher's salary of four Pounds a month took care of ten children, a Catholic wife, grand-parents, and an aunt with five children.

"Clearly miracles do not live in the Bible alone.

"Fortunately I was also a student at Woodlands High in Pietermaritzburg during the war years when we queued for bread and milk on the black market to have Mr Stead our English master (I notice he's not here), Herbie Govinden was a student with me and he would agree that Mr Stead broadened our horizon.

"My voluntary work at FOSA soon after school taught starkly that the solutions to poverty were not to be found in charity, but in politics.

"I stand here for the Unity Movement of the early 1950s who I D Thabatha, Goolam Gool, A K Essack opened my mind to the force of apartheid. As a teacher, politics was a no go area and our weekly meetings stimulated our discussions.

"I stand here as a member of the Natal Indian Congress for Dr Randeree, M D Naidoo, Paul David, George Sewpersadh, Dr Monty Naicker, and Mrs Nagamah Naidoo - a cook at Kapitan's Cafe who told me her experience as a passive resister in 1946.

"The protests against the Ghetto Act sent thousands to prison to show their abhorrence of this Act. The Indian Government took up the issue at the UN thus internationalising the struggle.

"The Passive Resistance of 1946 and the Defiance Campaign of 1952 were ommitted.

"A letter from Dr Randeree, now resident in Canada, reminded me of an NIC meeting held at my flat in the 1950s, we decided to boycott the tribal bush college at Salisbury Island. Consequently a meeting was arranged at the Tamil Vedic Hall in Carlisle Street (Durban) where after several fighting speeches we sang loudly "Lead Kindly Light" with M B Naidoo and many others. So you see what irony this award is.

"We have gone full circle and it has come home to roost.

"I stand here on behalf of the Human Rights Commitee formed to take care of the banished people in Natal. This is material for much-needed dissertation and I hope this institution does something about that.

"Theo and Mario Kloppenberg, Dr Goonam, Elanor Kassrils were some of the people who worked in this committee. We reached Chief William Sekekunee a month too late. He had died from starvation in this very province and you thought you need it all from the TRC.

"I stand here on behalf of late Ernest Gallo, Kalise Sello (he's not late), and others of a non-racial group at Natal University in 1957 who approached the ANC to allow us to operate an ANC branch at the University of Natal. The ANC constitution frowned on us and Joe Mathews and Baba Luthuli told us to go and start another human rights committee.

"I stand before you as a proud member of the South African Community Party where the idea of a non-racial South Africa was firmly planted. Here I met commitment and integrity that beg description - Moses Kotane, J B Marx, Ray and Jack Simons, George and Vera Ponnen, Govan Mbeki, Dr Dadoo, Marius Schoon, Bram Fischer, Ester Basle sitting here in front, Ruth Slovo, Joe Slovo and Gerald Freser-Moleketi and many others, you know them all, luminaries in our struggle.

"I stand here on behalf of MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe) whose oath I never took although I worked in the undergound from 1963 to 1977. Incidentally after taking Moses Mabhida out of hiding to Newcastle on the way out of the country I was ordered to find high blood pressure tablets (I think the doctors have a name for this) for Govan Mbeki. Doctors and friends complained that these tablets were very expensive but we pilfered from hospital surgeries, etc, and we had a good number of tablets. These were sent through the late George Naicker to Govan. Back came a reply for more tablets saying a number of his colleagues at Rivonia of course had found great relief. Little wonder they did not kill themselves.

"Then on the 11th of July 1963 those of you who know anything will know that's a very precious date when I received a note from Govan saying "the mole is tired of the hole". The arrests in Rivonia took place.

"Eh Ronnie what a break. The racist Government had to find the tablets from now on.

"I stand here on behalf M K veteran, Joseph Nduli. Joseph was one of the 80 MK soldiers of the Luthuli detachment which crossed into Rhodesia in August 1967. Walking through the forests he and Biyela strayed away from the others. They hid in tall grass surrounded by Rhodesian forces. Biyela impatient, hungry, thirsty, lifted his head to check the enemy position. A shot robbed him of his head and Joseph was covered in his blood. Joseph came back to South Africa assisted by ZAPU comrades and got to Johannesburg with a passport and then fled to Swaziland. He operated from there until South African agents kidnapped him in 1976.

"When the death of Joseph Mdluli (now notice that the one was Joseph Nduli and this is Joseph Mdluli) in detention destroyed the underground routes out of South Africa. Joe and I had to establish new ones.

"Shadrack Maphumulo who served a 10-year sentence on Robben Island and was killed in Swaziland in the presence of his children and I charted the road which took Mac Maharaj, Steven Dlamini, Sunny Singh there and so many others via Swaziland.

"Working with comrades returning from Robben Island was the most rewarding experience. Their commitment to the struggle was no sacrifice. It was their life. Some had done 10 years and more on Robben Island and were taking work that without a doubt would send them back as indeed it did. Harry Gwala, Mathews Mayiya, Zakele Mdlalose, Anton Xaba, Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, and some others.

"To work with MK stalwarts like late Justin Khuzwayo, Jacob Zuma, Nduduzi Guma, Poomoney Moodley, Sunny Singh and others was a humbling experience. Joseph Mdluli whom they murdered was a gentle person who attended to comrades who were banished, house-arrested and unemployed. We packed his boot with food and clothes whenever he went around. Two weeks before he was killed he called to find out if I had anything to send with him. At the time we had over 75 persons in detention. Jeff Hadebe, who is now a Minister, will tell you that he was my articled clerk then, said he learnt no law in my office. He only packed food for detainees.

"But Mdluli counselled patients saying the struggle is long, next time he comes I will have something for him. He never returned. He was killed on the 19th of March 1976.

"I stand before you on behalf of those killed in Maputo on the 30th of January 1981, especially my son, Nduguma, and 11 others. On the 9th of December 30 of my comrades and and 12 Basotho were massacred, among them Gazee, Zola and Ginee, then 12 were killed in Gaberone on the 14th of June 1985 and there was Thami Maniyela and my precious son, Mike Kamblan.

"I stand here angering for those in the ANC and PAC who were executed. I want to tell you about Vuyisile Mini, who was Woken Kayinja, and Zenatela Mahlaba who were executed on the 6th of November 1964.

Mini wore four hats. He was a trade unionist, SADTU, MK, ANC and SACP. The four treatment. Mini refused to give evidence in Wilton Mkwayi's trial and lost the one and only chance to life. How many Minis' crossed your path? Any?

"His rare integrity is our proud possession. Hamble Gahle Mini.

"A word here about the party that wraps its posters around our lamp posts screaming, 'we will bring back the death penalty'.

"Their predecessors in 1990 called a moratorium because the death penalty did not solve their problems.

"The state cannot tell you that 'thou shall not kill and then process to kill you'. Don't forget also that it is the blacks in the main both here and the USA to have their necks broken.

"Is this the sum total of the proud recipients of today's award? No!

"The UNHCR and the Human Rights Commission both report that South Africans are zenophobic to a disgusting extent. Notice the term 'disgusting', it's not mine, it's theirs. That is an extreme irrational fear of anything or anyone different or foreign. The ghastly killings of three Mozambicans a few months made pariahs of all of us. I think you know the name 'Quere Quere' it should also belong to the never again stable.

"Our ghastly treatment of aliens makes a mockery of our call for increased tourism. I want to put this as a proposition to you. We have a ministry for both. It would appear that we despise the poor because the aliens are poor and we suck up to the rich. But think about that.

"South Africans need to remember that Samora Machel, erstwhile president of Mozambique, supported not only our struggle but of Zimbabwe as well, incurring the wrath of both Rhodesia and the racists here. Destabilisation was a war in which two million Mozambicans lost their lives and limbs, their economy destroyed and their president and others murdered. They paid heavily so that we might be free.

"What Angola did for our liberation begs description. Augustino Neto, President of the newly-independent Angola, said in his inauguration speech:

'We shall never be free until South Africa is free'.

"Remember that when you find Angolans (watch my false teeth here) trading anger you, our landmines continue to live in Angola and continue to render children lifeless and limbless. Our President was in Russia to thank the then USSR for its mind-boggling solidarity with our struggle. Comrade Vladimia Shupin has written a book which I recommend for your reading. The Organisation for African Unity(OAU), on its shoe string budget, supported us. We had assistance from Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, and so many others. The whole of this poor continent came to our help, to our assistance and gave it with no strings attached. It was the kind of solidarity that begs description.

"India rendered immeasurable assistance to the ANC, poor Caribbean islands helped us, Cuba gave her sons and daughters to our struggle, over two thousand Cubans died in Africa so that we might be free. The victory of the Angolan and Cuban forces ensured Namibia's independence and freedom. It was impossible after that to deny ours. Except for Sweden, most Western governments did not support our struggle. They supported the racists with constructive engagment.

"It was during this period that the SADF made most of its forays into Angola, destroying its people and landmining most of the country.

"Be that as it may in the UN, USA, UK, Austria - all these places anti-apartheid committees, church, legal, sports and other organisations took our call for boycotts and sanctions. They took care of our detained, their families, they found the money for our trials. They campaigned against the execution of our comrades. Their solidarity was immeasurable. All of them, Toogutsie a Zimbabwean, sang gustily 'Free Nelson Mandela'.

"We have our President, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and the others as a result of the role the International Anti-Apartheid Movement played during the Rivonia Trial when we expected the death penalty.So you see our zenophobia cannot be maintained. It is not only misplaced, it is criminal.

"Malusi, the president of the ANC Youth League, complains that South Africans do not feel equally rsponsible for the Reconstruction and Development of our country but are at the forefront of demanding their rights. He speaks of a lack of social responsibility. I wish to add to that phenomenon of entitlement and corruption that has reached alarming proportions.

"The greed that characterised apartheid lives comfortably with us.

"Albie Sachs in his "Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter" says: 'What has given honour and diginity to our lives was precisely the fact that we chose to combat injustice without thought or even hope of receiving personal benefit.

"I know it's difficult when Anglo American announced a profit of 3,7-billion, billion my friends, you will find that in the Mercury of the 26th of March and NEO tries to follow suit a month later. It is shocking to see so many of our trade union leaders now aspiring for personal wealth.

"Distinguished guests we tried against the worst possible conditions to establish a democracy, to establish and retain our humanity. We crossed barriers set up by the racists. You saw Oliver Tambo return home after three strokes and his body disabled from hard work. He worked ceaselessly so that you might be free. Those on hunger strikes put their lives on line for what we have today.

"Pixie Benjamin hurt her body and died after a hunger strike. Mini refused to dignify the request of the racists and went singing to his death.

"Promise that you will never let the 6th of November pass you without remembering Mini.

"Wits has honoured David Webster. I want to ask you to claim Mini for UDW. Some trade unions have not forgotten him. So work with them, use some of the SRC funds you spend and give for the occasion. He gave you his life. I promise you, your sense of social responsibility will improve.

Sadhan Naidoo who was assassinated by apartheid security forces at the ANC farm near Lusaka in Zambia

           Phyllis with two her sons, Sadhan and Sha,  and daughter, Sukhthie, when she was still a young mother and activist




"Lastly I stand here on behalf of my amazing sons, Sadhan who was assassinated in Lusaka. All he wanted to do was to feed the people of South Africa. Sha, my second son, lost his life through a medical accident... his short life was spent in the struggle. I want to thank my family whose support throughout this period was extremely generous. I want you to know that as a family hurt by the Group Areas Act they refused to claim against the new democracy. I am very proud of them. Thank you. ........ when Gandhi was incarcerated in the Old Fort he found that African prisoners were denied salt in their food. Gandhi refused to eat his salted food.

"We should say with equal empathy that the disgrace of the squatter camps around here has no place in our society that we will not rest until the Jondolos are replaced with proper homes. Do I have a yes on that one.............. .

"A better life for all is our slogan, not a better life for any ethnic minority, not a better life for you or certainly not for me but for all South Africans.

"Thank you for bestowing this honour on all those who sacrificed their lives for our liberation........ . "

Ladies and gentlemen................ Dr Vasantha Phyllis Ruth Naidoo.

Phyllis with her large family headed by school principal, Mr Simon David, when they were living in Verulam. Look out for our comrade, Paul David, as well.