Post office honours activist

THE late South African MP Helen Suzman has been honoured with a postage stamp. She would have turned 100 on November 7.

Suzman was a celebrated anti-apartheid activist, who I consider to be among South Africa’s most influential and brave politicians.

During the apartheid days, she was the only humane and compassionate face in an evil Parliament.

She had outstanding abilities and qualities which she put to good use in her 30 years of political activism.

Suzman will always be remembered by South Africans for the manner in which she fought for the rights of black people in our country – she believed in justice for all.

I remember sitting in Parliament’s public gallery, listening to debates (a permit to be there was arranged for me by Suzman) during the late BJ Vorster’s presidency, when Su- zman rose from her seat and pleaded for qualified franchise to be extended to black citizens of South Africa, and she was shot down quickly by National Party MPs.

She was also heckled and laughed at.

This led to disorder in Parliament because what she had suggested was taboo. PO BOX 47549, Greyville 4023 e-mail DNletter@inl.co.za 031 308 2715

Suzman simply stood in great embarrassment, cutting a sorrowful, lone, pathetic figure.

Her lone voice thundered inside and outside Parliament for the improvement of the lives of black citizens in South Africa, but her contribution was ignored.

It is good to know that the SA Post Office is honouring Suzman on a postage stamp.

Suzman was indeed a South African icon, and we shall always remember her for the person she was.

Thank you, SA Post Office, for recognising and honouring Suzman. ISMAIL M MOOLLA

Umzinto