Fun Walk ‘happy and sad’ for Imam Abdullah Haron’s widow
THE widow of Imam Abdullah Haron, Galiema Sadan, 93, participated in the inaugural annual Imam Abdullah Haron Education Trust Bibi’s Kitchen 6km Fun Walk yesterday.
“Today (yesterday) was both a happy and sad experience for me as we walked past the house in Repulse Road, Athlone, where the security police took my husband. The route also went near Jefferson Road, Lansdowne house, where all three of his children were removed by the Groups Areas Act. Even after his death there were more difficult times and I just want communities to know there is still hope while there is life,” she said.
Sadan was one of the almost 1 000 people who took part in the walk to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the death in detention of her husband on September 27, 1969.
The fun walk was established to raise greater awareness of the life of the Struggle stalwart and to raise funds for the trust’s Early Childhood Development programme, while also introducing the organisation to the broader community of the Western Cape.
Sadan, completed the walk in her wheelchair. She said that at her age she wanted to inspire others not to give up hope.
The Imam Abdullah Haron Education Trust’s Early Childhood Development programme runs in partnership with well-established and highly respected agencies in under-resourced areas.
The funds raised had yet to be tallied because participants donated more than just the R35 required to enter the walk.
As a trustee of the Imam Abdullah Haron Education Trust, Imam Abdullah Haron’s daughter, Fatiema Haron-Masoet, said the event had been three years in the making.
“My father stood for social justice, had a passion for education and believed it could restore the dignity of people. Next year will mark 50 years since his untimely death and the family is proud the broader community, particularly the trust, is maintaining and keeping his legacy alive.”
Haron-Masoet said she completed the walk which also occurred on her birthday. She said there are plans to make the second annual fun walk a more significant event.