SOUTHSIDE CHAIRPERSON COMMITS TO THE LAUNCH OF ITS RADIO STATION

(Ms Sally Padaychie(chairperson of SSFM) with (from left to right): Mr Denis Naidoo, Mr Kiru Naidoo (PRO), Mr Swaminathan Gounden), and Mr Jay Moodley). The Chairperson of Southside FM Radio, Ms Sally Padaychie, has given an assurance that she and her Board of Governors will do everything possible to launch the radio station. Ms Padaychie was speaking at the annual general meeting of Southside held at 59 Musgrave Road in Durban on Sunday (March 24). She said Southside Board of Governors and officials had been struggling for nearly 10 years to obtain a frequency despite being granted a community radio licence in 2012. “We started in 2009 at a time when preparations were being made to observe the arrival of our indentured forefathers and mothers in November 1860,” she said. “A radio station would be the ideal tribute to our ancestors who sacrificed so much for the upliftment of the descendants in the social, political, educational, sporting and economical lives of the people. “We in the Board will continue with our struggles to launch our radio station as soon as our frequency is granted. In this regard we must continue to negotiate with the political leaders concerned, ICASA and other role players. “At our last meeting with ICASA on January 23 early this year, the ICASA officials made a commitment that they would investigate the possibility of a frequency either in the Chatsworth, Phoenix or North Coast area.” Ms Padaychie paid tribute to all the officials of Southside who had contributed enormously towards the struggles for a frequency and their commitment to the establishment of a radio station for the descendants of indentured labourers. She applauded the officials and Board of Governors for sacrificing their time, energy and resources without spending “one single cent” of Southside’s funds since inception in 2009.

Ms Padaychie was re-elected to her position along with Mr Subry Govender (secretary), Mr Balan Gounder (deputy chairperson), Mr Richard Naidoo (deputy chairperson), Mr Deven Moodley (treasurer), and Mr Denis Naidoo (deputy treasurer). The other Board of Governors re-elected are Mr Swaminathan Gounden, Mr Sumeshen Moodley, Mr Logan Naidoo, Mr Richard Govender, Mr Marie Ramaya-Pillay (Johannesburg) and Dr M Sooboo (Pretoria). Three new officials, Ms V. Naidoo (assistant secretary), Mr Kiru Naidoo (Public Relations Officer) and Ms Roxanne Gounden (Audio), were also elected. The secretary, Mr Subry Govender, who was the first chairperson of Southside at its inception in 2009, gave a detailed account of the struggles for a frequency over the past 10 years. He said ever since some progressive elders in 2009 came together and put into motion a programme to launch a radio station for the people of south Indian-origin, the officials did not sit on their laurels but had gone the extra mile over the years in an attempt to realise our dream. “The move was to launch a radio station to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of our forefathers and mothers as indentured sugar cane labourers (slaves) in the then Natal Colony that was ruled by Britain. “The initiators of this project – especially Mr Balan Gounder, Mr Swaminathan Gounden, and Mr Denis Naidoo – with the assistance of a few dedicated others - worked tirelessly to apply for our licence, obtain a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) certificate, the support of the Merebank Tamil School Society, the involvement of some business people and the support of many, many committed and progressive members of the community”. STRUGGLES He added: “Despite Southside meeting all the requirements for a frequency we have been pushed from pillow to post over the past nine years and denied the opportunity to launch our radio station. “We took up the cudgels with all role players in the ruling ANC and obtained the unstinted support and involvement of the late Minister, Roy Padaychie; and after him, Minister Yunus Carrim. It was through the efforts of Mr Padaychie that we were granted a licence. The letter from ICASA stated that we would be issued with a licence certificate once we were granted a frequency. “But sadly this has been denied to us despite our representations to role players in parliament; other members of the ruling party; Mr Yunus Carrim and other Ministers after him. In fact, after Minister Carrim was replaced in 2014, we still kept in touch with him in Parliament. “He told us that it was a tragedy that we were being denied a frequency. “Since his departure we have tried to take up our case with Minister Faith Muthambi and her successors but to no avail. We also held top level talks with Dr Zweli Mkhize in Durban and he used his authority for the immediate former CEO of ICASA, Mr Pakamile Pongwana, to take all steps to grant us a frequency. “Mr Pongwana and his officials met us here at Mr Logan Naidoo’s office sometime in 2016 and gave us an assurance that he would do everything in his power for us to obtain a frequency. “Unfortunately, Mr Pongwana left ICASA and we were back to square one.”

Mr Govender said they also held numerous meetings with Sentech leaders here locally in Durban and also with the Chairperson of Sentech. “At one of the meeting, the chairperson of Sentech gave an undertaking that he would attend our official launch. But despite his assurances, we have been repeatedly let down and one occasion, one of the officials at Sentech told me in confidence that we are being denied our frequency because the SABC was opposed to a significant percentage of people representing people of Indian-origin being granted their own radio station. “I was told this would affect one of the SABC’s own radio stations.” He said they nevertheless they continued with their negotiations with ICASA and had held a meeting with the new CEO, Mr Ngwepe, and his officials at the ICASA Durban regional office in December 2017. “The meeting on Monday (Dec 11 2017) was requested by Southside to find out what plans ICASA had to provide Southside with a frequency in and around the Durban area. “Those who represented ICASA were: Mr Willington Ngwepe (CEO); Ms Anele Nomtshongwana, senior official; Mr Zakhele Kganakga, Executive, Human Resources; and Mr Nsiswa Gumede, Regional KZN Manager. “Those who represented Southside were: Mrs Sally Padaychie, Chairperson; Mr Subry Govender, secretary; Mr Deven Moodley, treasurer; and Mr Richard Naidoo, joint deputy chairperson. “At this meeting, Mr Ngwepe said he was aware of all the representations made by Southside and the struggles over the past eight years. He said he was also fully informed of the last meeting held with the former ICASA CEO, Mr Pongwana, and the representations made to DSTV. “Mr Ngwepe gave an assurance that he would look at some alternatives and he would come back to us within a matter of two weeks. “One of these alternatives included the provision of a frequency in an area proposed by Southside officials. “Mr Ngwepe also gave an assurance that once the digital migration programme is completed by 2019, Southside would be given priority in being granted a frequency that would then become available.” ANOTHER MEETING WITH ICASA

(Southside secretary, Mr Subry Govender, with Dr Micky Chetty, Mr Marie Ramaya-Pillay, Mr Krish Naidoo and officials of UICASA at the meeting in Centurion on January 23 2019)

(Dr M Sooboo of Pretoria also attended the meeting with ICASA at Centurion) Then in January this year, after repeated communications with the ICASA CEO and his officials in 2017 and 2018, Southside held a meeting with senior officials of the Licencing Department at their Head Office in Centurion on Wednesday, January 23. “The following officials represented ICASA: Ms Leah Mayina, General Manager of ICASA Licencing Department; Ms Fikile Hlongwane and Mr Philemon Molefe. “The following official and leaders represented Southside FM Radio: Mr Subry Govender, Secretary; Dr Mickey Chetty, President of the South African Tamil Federation; Mr Marie Ramaya Pillay, immediate past President of the SATF and Dr Murthu Sooboo, Trustee of the Pretoria Tamil League and senior leader of SATF. “Mr Krish Naidoo, former member of the SABC Board, also attended as a guest of Southside.” MATTERS DISCUSSED “Mr Subry Govender gave a brief input about the struggles by Southside FM RADIO for a frequency since 2009 and the intensified interactions and communications with ICASA in 2017 and 2018. “At this meeting the ICASA officials gave an undertaking that they would check whether they could help Southside with a frequency in the Phoenix, North Coast and Chatsworth areas.” CONCLUSION Mr Govender said at a recent meeting of Southside’ Board in February, they decided to take constructive measures to proceed with their radio project. “We decided that we should start with an internet radio in order to give training to our prospective presenters and other volunteers. “We also decided to build our studio and office. We are currently in the process of identifying premises for this purpose. We are negotiating with one of our supporters for an office site.” WAY FORWARD The annual general meeting was also informed of the programmes in place to obtain premises, build its studio and office and to start broadcasting on the internet while waiting for a frequency from ICASA. Ms Padaychie welcomed Ms Naidoo, Ms Gounden, and Mr Kiru Naidoo for joining Southside in its struggles to launch its radio station. Ms Padaychie also thanked all other well-wishers – Mr Jay Moodley, Mrs Sushie Moodley, Mr Siva Moodley and Ms Anitha Pillay for their attendance and support at the AGM. Ends – subrygovender@gmail.com March 25 2019

VIJAY STAR NITE SINGERS AND MUSICIANS FROM CHENNAI ENTHRAL MUSIC LOVERS AT THE ICC IN DURBAN ON FRIDAY, MARCH 1 (2019)

Several thousand people enjoyed themselves thoroughly at the Vijay Star Nite Tamil musical show at the ICC on Friday, March 1. Although the ticket prices were a bit steep for many, the hall was fully packed with people who admire and cherish their rich cultural heritage. The singers and musicians from Chennai really went the extra mile and put on superb performances. Two singers who made a great impression were the husband and wife team of Rajaluxmi and Sendhal. They attracted repeated and loud appraisal when they rendered a number of village songs, especially the item, Chinna Macha. One hopes there would be more shows like this brought to our shores. One of the sponsors from South Africa, Serendipity Tours, must be congratulated for sponsoring and supporting the singers and musicians from Chennai.

MANY SOUTH AFRICANS OF INDIAN-ORIGIN FEEL LOST AND UNCERTAIN AT A TIME WHEN THE COUNTRY’S 5TH DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE ON MAY 5 (2019) BY SUBRY GOVENDER

With political parties and their leaders out in full force trying to influence the electorate for the May 8 general elections, a significant percentage of descendants from the country’s 1860 generation find themselves in a state of “loss and uncertainity”. This unfortunate situation has arisen despite the fact that many activists and members of the community believed that the new South Africa would be non-racial in character and they would have no worries. The ANC became their first choice in 1994 after the historical Natal Indian Congress, which was the mouthpiece of the community since 1894, was allowed to fade out of existence in the run-up to the first democratic elections 25 years ago. But over the years after the race factor had been thrown around by some political leaders, a number of prominent progressive leaders and activists felt the descendants of the 1860 generation have no voice to articulate their aspirations and concerns in the new South Africa. In this article on life after the NIC, veteran journalist, Subry Govender, writes on the new situation where people find themselves “lost” and in a state of “uncertainity” in the new non-racial South Africa. He poses the question whether the decision to allow the Natal Indian Congress to fade out of existence in 1994 was the correct move? THE PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF A LACK OF LEADER OR ORGANISATION TO GUIDE THEM AND PROVIDE THEM WITH CONFIDENCE “If peace means keeping my mouth shut in the midst of injustice and evil, I don’t want it. If peace means a willingness to be exploited economically, dominated politically, humiliated and segregated, I don’t want peace.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

( PROFESSOR FATIMA MEER) Sometime in 2008, I had the privilege of talking to one of our formidable social and political activists and authors, Professor Fatima Meer, when she was celebrating her 80th birthday. The quotation by American Civil Rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, above reflected the feelings of Professor Meer at that time. I spoke to her at a time when many former activists of the Natal Indian Congress, UDF and other progressive organisations and leaders were becoming disillusioned at the movement away from our true values and principles of a non-racial and democratic society. ( RACIAL DIATRIBE ) This had come about following racially-inciting diatribe by Julius Malema, who was leader of the ANC Youth League at the time, and the increasing spate of corruption among some of the people within the ruling ANC. It was also at a time when people were becoming concerned at the falling standards in our educational and health sectors; the increasing rate of unemployment among the poor and marginalised people; and the fact that most people live like hostages in their homes because of the high and increasing violent crime wave. This disillusionment was reflected in the manner in which the people voted in the 2014 general election and the subsequent 2016 local government elections.

(SOME OF THE CONGRESS LEADERS OF THE PRE-1994 ERA - DR JERRY COOVADIA, THUMBA PILLAY AND SWAMINATHAN GOUNDEN - WHO TOOK PART IN AN ANTI-CORRUPTION PROTEST IN DURBAN IN 2016) ( NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS) Now in 2019, when political parties are busy preparing their election campaigns for the scheduled May 8 general elections, many people are asking whether the descendants of the 1860 generation have been let down by the progressive and revolutionary Natal Indian Congress (NIC) being forced to go out of existence in the early 1990s. This action was taken when the ANC informed the leaders of the NIC at that time that there was no longer any need for the NIC because the people could now become members of the ANC and that there would be no need for any worries. ( NELSON MANDELA) This action was taken even though the leader of the ANC and the President of our first democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela, advised that the NIC should remain because it had a historical background and linked to Mahatma Gandhi.

NIC LEADERS MEET WITH MANDELA IN JANUARY 1994 Mandela outlined his views when leaders of the NIC held a meeting with him at the ANC headquarters in Shell House in Johannesburg on January 19 1994. Mandela told the NIC leaders that he appreciated the role played by the NIC during the struggle years. He pointed out that for all intents and purposes the NIC was the ANC when the organisation was banned since 1960 and when most of the leaders were either in exile, in jail, banned, detained or house-arrested. He said for this reason the NIC should remain as a historical partner of the ANC and to continue to mobilise the community. MANDELA WANTED THE NIC TO CONTINUE AS A SOCIAL PARTNER OF THE ANC

(ANOTHER NIC LEADER PRE 1994 - DR FAROUK MEER - TALKING TO PREMIER WILLIES MCHUNU AT A FUNCTION IN DURBAN A FEW YEARS AGO) Many leaders such as Judge Thumba Pillay, Dr Farouk Meer, George Sewpersadh, M J Naidoo, and Paul Devadas David supported Mandela in his view that the NIC should remain, not as a political party, but as a progressive social organisation aligned to the ANC. Now 25 years into our new South Africa, many people are saying that most descendants of the 1860 generation are not only feeling “lost and uncertain” but also don’t have an organisation that they could align to. Their main concern is: “What is the future of our grand-children?” in a society where there’s so much racial profiling, racial mongering and lawlessness – all anti-social evils that are totally against the true values and principles of the ANC. M J NAIDOO

(M J NAIDOO (FOURTH FROM RIGHT) AND GEORGE SEWPERSADH, BILLY NAIR, ARCHIE GUMEDE AND MEWA RAMGOBIN WHO TOOK REFUGE AT THE BRITISH CONSULATE IN DURBAN IN THE 1980s to ESCAPE FROM THE APARTHEID SECURITY POLICE) They say that Mr M J Naidoo, a former president of the NIC, was one of the leaders who clearly outlined what kind of a future South Africa they would like to see. This is what he said at a protest meeting in Durban in the 1980s: “My message for South Africa is that everyone should show a concern for peace and prosperity for all its people. Where selfish interests, greed and a feeling of superiority and arrogance holds sway, there can be no real peace or prosperity. “Every one in South Africa – black, brown or white – should, therefore, dedicate oneself with the urgency that the South African situation deserves, to the task of building a United South Africa and to spreading the sunshine and plenty to all its people.” Many of the people say that the current ANC, which President Cyril Ramaphosa is trying his best to resuscitate and become relevant, has too many challenges to worry about people who are classified as a “minority”. They say that if the NIC or any other progressive organisation like the UDF was around, then the people would not feel isolated or marginalised. PROFESSOR FATIMA MEER Only eleven years ago when I interviewed Professor Meer she was also of the view, like Mandela, that the NIC or the UDF could have allayed the fears and anxieties of the people who feel marginalised and lost. She told me: “You see the people had a very strong organisation in the Natal Indian Congress and I wrote to Mr Mbeki long, long ago that it had been a tragedy that the ANC had asked the NIC to be disbanded because that was an organisation founded by Gandhi in the last century. “It was an organisation that stood by the ANC always. Now the ANC had made the biggest mistake. Politically as a political party, the ANC was fine and totally acceptable but to organise the people, they needed an organisation.” Professor Meer was of the view that the history of the people of Indian-origin in the Natal Indian Congress, Transvaal Indian Congress and the South African Indian Congress could not be de-linked in the new South Africa. “This was a very rich history. You don't want to miss out on that history. You want to build on that history. It is a pity that it was disbanded at all. “I would prefer we resurrect our roots and our history and the ANC must recognise that what the Indian Congress had contributed in the time of revolution, will today, in the time of government, continue to give it support in all fields.” Many other former activist leaders such as Judge Thumba Pillay, Dr Farouk Meer, Swaminathan Gounden and the late George Sewpersadh also expressed similar sentiments over the past decade.

GEORGE SEWPERSADH Mr Sewpersadh, president of the NIC when negotiations against white minority rule and domination were taking place in the early 1990s, was particularly concerned that those left behind after 1994 and those struggling for livelihoods would be affected gravely by the absence of an organisation such as the NIC or UDF Many are now of the view that urgent discussions must be held with the ANC to chart ways as to how the descendants of the 1860 generation could be mobilised in support of the true values and principles of the liberation struggles conducted by the ANC, NIC, TIC and the SAIC. One young man I talked to this past week is Mr Logan Nair, a fourth generation descendant, now settled in Chatsworth. I met him at a cultural function in Port Shepstone and he expressed his serious disillusionment with the current social and political tendencies and state of affairs. “I have no leader or organisation that I can look up to for advice or direction. There is no organisation that is taking up social and other issues of concern to me and other people in the different communities. “President Cyril Ramaphosa is okay and I would like to vote for him but I have to do this through the ANC. It seems to me that President Ramaphosa is being sabotaged by others who are caught up in corruption and theft of public money. What do I and others do under these circumstances? “If we had an organisation such as the NIC or the UDF we would have no worries because we would know that someone is taking up our concerns. Now we are lost. As far as I am concerned the NIC always promoted the interests of all South Africans and not a particular people.” Mr Johnny Pillay, an educationist of Verulam, told me he could take care of himself without any organisation but he asked: “What about the people living on the margins of society?” He added: “At least if there was an organisation like the NIC or the UDF, the people who are struggling can look up to these organisations for direction and advice. Now they don’t have any leader or organisation who can give them hope. Many people in our communities are lost. Something must be done to bring hope and to be a Voice for the people.”

(SOME OF THE FORMER NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS LEADERS DURING THE APARTHEID ERA. THE NIC WAS THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES REPRESENTED THE ANC WHEN THE ORGANISATION WAS BANNED AND LEADERS WERE IMPRISONED, BANNED, HOUSE-ARRESTED OR IN EXILE) RACIAL HATRED TOTALLY AGAINST THE VALUES OF THE NELSON MANDELAS, WALTER SISULUS, OLIVER TAMBOS, GOVAN MBEKIS, YUSUF DADOOS, AHMED KATHRADAS AND MONTY NAICKERS It’s a tragedy that 25 years into our new South Africa people find themselves in a state of uncertainity and less confident. The activists of the past who are still around must voice their views about the situation in which many people find themselves in today. It seems it is a matter of urgency that there’s a need to re-assure the people that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it” and they also have a “role to play” in the socio-economic development of the new non-racial and democratic country. They cannot be made to feel, 158 years after the arrival of their ancestors from India and two and half decades into the new South Africa, that they are not South Africans any longer. This is totally against the true values and principles of struggle leaders and heroes such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbkei, Oliver Tambo, Yusuf Dadoo, Monty Naicker and Ahmed Kathrada. Ends – (Feb 4 2019)

SOUTHSIDE OFFICIALS AND LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY HOLD ANOTHER MEETING WITH ICASA ABOUT ITS STRUGGLES FOR A FREQUENCY

ICASA OFFICIALS MAKE A COMMITMENT TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOUTHSIDE BEING GIVEN A FREQUENCY FOR PHOENIX, NORTH COAST AND CHATSWORTH

(Mr Krish Naidoo, Dr Micky Chetty, Subry Govender, and Mr Marie Ramaya Pillay. (Front) Ms Leah Mayina and Ms Fikile Hlongwane) The struggles by Southside FM Radio to obtain a frequency in order to start broadcasting took another turn on Wednesday, January 23 (2019), when senior officials and community leaders held another meeting with ICASA officials. The meeting, held at the ICASA Head Office in Centurion, near Pretoria, followed intense negotiations and communications with the ICASA CEO, Mr Wellington Ngwepe, about Southside’s struggles since 2009 for a frequency.

(Dr Murthi Sooboo) The meeting also followed a meeting that Southside held with Mr Ngwepe and his officials at ICASA’s office in Durban on December 11 2017. The officials who represented ICASA at the Centurion meeting were Ms Leah Mayina, General Manager of ICASA Licencing Department; Ms Fikile Hlongwane and Mr Philemon Molefe. The delegates who represented Southside were Mr Subry Govender (secretary), Dr Mickey Chetty, President of the South African Tamil Federation; Mr Marie Ramaya Pillay, immediate past President of the SATF; Dr Murthi Sooboo, Trustee of the Pretoria Tamil League and senior leader of SATF; and Mr Krish Naidoo, former member of the SABC Board, who attended as a guest of Southside. In his introductory statement, Mr Subry Govender gave a brief input about the struggles by Southside FM RADIO for a frequency since 2009 and the intensified interactions and communications with ICASA in 2017 and 2018. Mr Govender pointed out that at a meeting in Durban on December 11, 2017, the ICASA CEO, Mr Ngwepe gave an assurance that he would look at some alternatives and he would come back to Southside within a matter of two weeks. Mr Govender also said Mr Ngwepe made a commitment that once the digital migration programme was completed by 2019, Southside would be given priority in being granted a frequency that would then become available. Mr Govender informed the ICASA officials present that members of the target audience of Southside had become increasingly disillusioned and wanted to know why the community was being marginalised by ICASA. He called on the officials to give a clear indication as to when Southside would be granted a frequency. Dr Micky Chetty, Mr Marie Pillay and Dr Sooboo also expressed their disappointment at the failure of ICASA to grant Southside a frequency despite the efforts by the leaders and officials over the past 10 years. Dr Chetty, who represented Southside at a meeting with ICASA sometime in the early years of Southside’s struggles, pointed out that the community was being misled despite representations to Government leaders since 2009. “We want a clear statement that Southside will be assisted to get off the ground,” he told the officials. “We cannot continue to be frustrated.” Dr Chetty, Mr Pillay and Dr Sooboo made it clear that something must be done urgently to help Southside being granted a frequency. “Urgent steps must taken to help Southside,” said Mr Marie Pillay. Responding to the strong sentiments expressed by Southside delegates, Mr Molefe said he fully understood the frustrations of Southside officials and leaders but said nothing has changed regarding the lack of frequencies in the urban area of Durban. Mr Molefe said they did try to help Southside with frequencies in Pietermaritzburg and Port Shepstone but these were not taken up. They were told these did not cover the target market of Southside. After further lengthy inputs by Dr Chetty, Mr Pillay and the other officials, Mr Molefe and Ms Leah Mayine said they would check whether they could help Southside with a frequency in the Phoenix, North Coast and Chatsworth areas. They would forward this in writing to Southside in the last of January or early February. In their final submissions, Dr Chetty, Mr Marie Pillay and the others reiterated the importance of Southside being granted a frequency so that the radio station could be launched as soon as possible. Once launched, Southside could play a vital role in being a Voice of the community and promoting the cultures, traditions and languages as a full part of the non-racial and democratic South Africa.

(Southside Chairperson, Mrs Sally Mudaly-Padaychie, with the former ICASA CEO, Pakamile Pongwane. The picture was taken when Southside met Mr Pongwane and his officials in Durban in March 2017) The Chairperson of Southside, Mrs Sally Mudaly-Padaychie, expressed her gratitude to the delegation “for meeting with ICASA and reinforcing the struggles for the long overdue frequency for Southside”. “On behalf of the Board of Southside I want to thank Dr Mickey Chetty, Mr Marie Ramaya-Pillay, Dr Murthi Sooboo and Mr Krish Naidoo for their presence and contribution in strengthening our delegation. This is greatly appreciated.” She added: “I also want to thank Mr Subry Govender, our secretary, for utilising his family holiday to pursue with this meeting with ICASA with such determination and passion. “I am glad to note that the meeting ended on a positive note. Our struggles will continue till we get the frequency to broadcast to all our people”, said Mrs Mudaly-Padaychie. – ends (subrygovender@gmail.com)

NON-RACIAL AND DEMOCRATIC SOUTH AFRICA IN 2019 by SUBRY GOVENDER

The ruling ANC is busy finalising its list of 200 members for national parliament. The ANC leaders have met in Durban over the past few days and have announced that the list would only be released at the end of this month. The list will come into operation after the national general elections scheduled for some time in May. The spokespersons for the ANC have emphasised that while they will be choosing members who have clean records and are corrupt-free, they will also be taking into account the demographics of the country. The spokespersons have also emphasised the ANC’s commitment to a free, non-racial and democratic society. The ANC’s selection of its 200 list members for national parliament has taken place at a time when the ruling party is busy preparing for its all-important rally at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (12) to release its January 8 statement. While the ruling party talks of taking into account demographics and committing to the values and principles of non-racial and democracy, there are still many people in society who are concerned about the increasing tendencies of racial hatred that has currently gripped our country and the violent crime rate that has forced people to live like hostages in their own homes. “There is no future for our grand-children” has become the common expression by many people. This kind of fear has no place in our society but it is a reality. It goes against the sacrifices made by our leaders during the struggles against white minority rule and domination.

(Dr Farouk Meer with other struggle stalwarts - Thumba Pillay and Professor Jerry Coovada) In 2008 when the ANC was preparing for its crucial national elective conference in Polokwane, I had compiled this radio documentary about the need for a true non-racial and democratic society in order to assure the people that they would not be deserted. I included in the report interviews with the former secretary of the now-disbanded Natal Indian Congress, Dr Farouk Meer, and political activist, Yunus Carrim, about the importance of a non-racial and democratic society.

(Yunus Carrim who is now an ANC member of Parliament.) This radio documentary is being re-published in order to inform people about the invaluable roles played by our struggle stalwarts for a race-free, safe and democratic future. I sincerely hope that it will provide some information to all people of the contributions made by progressive leaders and organisations such as the Natal Indian Congress and the United Democratic Front.

VASANTHA PHYLLIS RUTH NAIDOO (NEE DAVID) - GIANT OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLES – REMEMBERED ON JANUARY 5 2019 WHEN SHE WOULD HAVE TURNED 91 - PART THREE DELIVERING HER SPEECH AT THE FORMER UNIVERSITY OF DURBAN-WESTVILLE IN 2007

(PHYLLIS NAIDOO WITH HER TWO SON, SADHAN AND SHA, AND DAUGHTER, SAKTHIE) PHYLLIS NAIDOO PULLS NO PUNCHES WHEN SHE ADDRESSES A FUNCTION AT THE FORMER UNIVERSITY OF DURBAN-WESTVILLE WHEN SHE WAS BESTOWED WITH A HONORARY DOCTORATE IN LAW IN 2007 Today, on the 5th of January 2019, one of the giants in the struggles for a free and non-racial South Africa, Vasanatha Phyllis Ruth Naidoo (nee David), would have turned 91. Known as Phyllis Naidoo, this committed struggle stalwart was born on the 5th of January 1928 to a staunch Catholic family who also had their roots to indentured labourers. After being involved in the struggles for more than 60 years, she passed on, on February 13 2013 at the age 85. As a tribute to this struggle giant, I am re-publishing two articles and a radio documentary on her remarkable life. The first article, which encompasses her life from being a teenage activist, was published in February 2013 after her passing on Feb 13 of that year. The second article was an interview that I had conducted with Phyllis Naidoo at her Umbilo Road flat in Durban in 2005. The radio package was also recorded and broadcast at this time. I also have the pleasure of publishing a speech that Phyllis Naidoo had delivered at the then University of Durban-Westville in 2007 when she was bestowed with a honorary doctorate of law for her invaluable contributions to the liberation struggles. In her speech, she pulled no punches when reminding the people of the sacrifices made by countless activists for the freedom that we enjoy today. She also spoke about the current situation where greed for power and wealth dominates the work of the new politicians and leaders.

(PHYLLIS NAIDOO'S DAD, SIMON DAVID AND MUM) "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. " Phyllis when receiving an honorary doctorate of law from the then University of Durban-Westville in 1995. This is her acceptance speech. "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 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 Mrs 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 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 receipients 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 assistanc and gave it with no strings attached. It was the kind of solidarity that beggars 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. "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 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.

VASANTHA PHYLLIS RUTH NAIDOO (NEE DAVID) - GIANT OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLES – REMEMBERED ON JANUARY 5 2019 WHEN SHE WOULD HAVE TURNED 91

SECOND ARTICLE AND RADIO PACKAGE ON THE LIFE OF PHYLLIS NAIDOO PHYLLIS NAIDOO ON HER DESIRE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES AFTER SHE RETURNED TO THE COUNTRY IN THE EARLY 1990S

BY SUBRY GOVENDER Today, on the 5th of January 2019, one of the giants in the struggles for a free and non-racial South Africa, Vasanatha Phyllis Ruth Naidoo (nee David), would have turned 91. Known as Phyllis Naidoo, this committed struggle stalwart was born on the 5th of January 1928 to a staunch Catholic family who also had their roots to indentured labourers. After being involved in the struggles for more than 60 years, she passed on, on February 13 2013 at the age 85. As a tribute to this struggle giant, I am re-publishing the interview that I had conducted with Phyllis Naidoo at her Umbilo Road flat in Durban in 2005. The radio package was also recorded and broadcast at this time.

(PHYLLIS NAIDOO WITH PAUL DAVID, ARCHIE GUMEDE AND HER DAUGHTER, SAKTHIE) "I have a great urge to tell, especially the children the contributions, what people did to get us where we are today." At 78 and after more than 60 years of being actively involved in the political struggles, one would expect Phyllis Naidoo to take it easy, relax and take time to enjoy the new democracy and freedom. Not Phyllis Naidoo. She has no time for such luxuries. Her small, neat one-room flat in the Umbilo Road of central Durban is full of books; the walls are adorned with photographs and posters - all relating to the political struggles. Portrait pictures of leaders such as Joe Slovo, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, and Chris Hani are prominently displayed. There are two small desks in the room and they are neatly packed with struggle documents, a computer and a fax machine In one section of the room there are two rows of 156 folders – containing information about the 156 struggle stalwarts who appeared in the 1956 Treason Trial. Naidoo wants to complete the profiles on the 156 leaders in time for the 50th anniversary of the Treason Trial next year. She said: "I'm looking at the profiles of the 156 to see who they were, what they are doing, are they alive. I think about 80 percent of them are dead. But I still want to know about them. What moved them to do anything because a lot of our people were very poor you know." The project on the treason trialists is her fourth literary contribution to the history of the struggles. Her previous works included, Waiting to Die in Pretoria, an account of prisoners on death row which was published in 1990; Le Rona Re Batho: An account of the 1982 Maseru Massacre - which she published in 1992; and Footprints in Grey Street - her tribute to a number of political activists who used the Grey Street area of Durban as their base. This book was published in 2002. Naidoo also published in 2003 - Doc's Files - a collection of banned and restricted people that the late activist, Doc Docrat, had compiled during his long years of house arrest and restriction. Phyllis Naidoo wants the young people of today to read and learn about the stalwarts of the struggle because the pain and suffering of the thousands of activists should not be forgotten. Phyllis Naidoo, the eldest daughter of a disciplinarian school principal, Simon David, joined the ANC after at first being drawn into the struggles as a member of the former Non-European Unity Movement. While assisting jailed political activists and their families, she came under the watchful eye of the security police in the early 1960s. She was banned and restricted between 1966 and 1976 - at a time when she was trying to cope with life as a single mother after her husband, M D Naidoo, was sentenced to Robben Island for ANC activities. Phyllis Naidoo went into exile in 1977 after the then security police made life too difficult for her to endure. She went to Lesotho but there too she was hounded and was seriously injured when she unknowingly opened a parcel bomb that was sent by the security police. In 1983 she was forced to flee Lesotho and move to Zimbabwe. During this period her son, Sadhan, was killed by agents of the apartheid regime while he was managing an ANC farm in Zambia. Then after she returned from exile in the 1990s, her second son, Sha, died from a stomach ailment. Her former husband, M D Naidoo, also died during this period. Despite all her trauma, Phyllis Naidoo is not despondent. She believes the ANC Government is on the right path even though there's a great deal of work still to be done to overcome the twin evils of poverty and unemployment. She said: "All the people that I know in power and that belong to the ANC are good people. I mean I can't think of anyone who has not made the most supreme sacrifices in their lives. I can't believe that they would be cottoned on to the present seductive president that we have. We didn't struggle so that trust funds could be set up for one's own children. We were about everybody's children. I know that it's very difficult to sustain in this period but I still believe that we could continue to do those things." A committed atheist, she wants to continue to write about the struggles till she breathes her last. Ends – subrygovender@gmail.com