Timol judgment a living memorial
The detailed judgment delivered at the Timol inquest by Judge Billy Mothle is now part of a living memorial to the victims of the heinous apartheid system.
Out of our collective memories, our immense suffering and utter humiliation under institutionalised racism, we must now forge unshakeable bonds with all decent people so that never again will the world stand silent in the face of such heinous atrocities.
The truth has finally emerged after 46 painful years. It was Winston Churchill who once said: “The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”
We must never be bystanders or perpetrators when such devastating crimes are repeated against humanity. Apartheid was a crime against humanity.
As Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel said: “For the dead and the living we must bear witness”.
Never again. Symbolic and profound these words solidify a promise to future generations that we will never stand idly by – a solemn declaration to defend our hard-won nonracial democracy.
Final judgment on the untimely death of stalwart Ahmed Timol has been delivered for posterity. Death could not conquer this martyr as, now and for all time, he lives in the heart of the masses he fought and died for.
Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard wrote: “The tyrant dies and his rule is over. The martyr dies and his rule begins.”
Benoni
Farouk Araie, Send us your letter
We publish letters that come with full name, address and telephone number even if you want to use a pseudonym. letters@ citizen.co.za, fax 010-4925386 or PO Box 43069 Industria 2042