Author and activist Phyllis Naidoo, featured on our Grey Street Writers Trail, has passed away.
Our condolences to her family. She will be missed!
“The ANC has paid tribute to activist Phyllis Naidoo (85) who died on Thursday in hospital. Naidoo died of heart failure at Chief Albert Luthuli Hospital and was cremated according to her wishes at a private crematorium, the Daily News reported. The ANC said it was saddened by her death. “The ANC dips its flag in honour of comrade Phyllis Naidoo,” said spokesman Keith Khoza. Naidoo was born in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, on January 5 1928. Later in her life she joined the Natal Indian Congress and became involved with the South African Communist Party (SACP).” Read the full article on the M&G …
Phyllis Naidoo (1928 – ) was born in Estcourt. She is the daughter of Simon David, a teacher and principal. When she was ten years old, her father took her to an Institute of Race Relations Conference in Pietermaritzburg at which she was to serve tea. At the meeting someone asked her to go and call the boy. She went outside and when she asked for the boy a very dignified, traditional Zulu woman confronted her. ‘The boy you want is my husband.’ The woman’s regal presence made Phyllis realise that she had given tremendous offence and she was mortified. This incident awakened her, more than any event or speech at the meeting, to the evils of racism. Phyllis joined the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and in 1958, married MD Naidoo, a member of the SACP, and in 1961 she joined the Communist Party. She was banned in March 1966. In 1967, MD was charged and sent to prison on Robben Island. His detention together with her banning left her destitute. She could not work and had to depend on friends and family for welfare assistance. Read Phyllis Naidoo’s author profile …
