Wrong conclusion

ON THE anniversary of the founding of the Black Sash 60 years ago, I recall the inspiration of meetings in the Drill Hall when the movement reached Cape Town from the then Transvaal (Gauteng).

Subsequently, like others, I spent time outside the entrance gate, wearing a broad black sash while protesting against the rape of the constitution to disenfranchise the coloured voters.

One of my companions was Nancy Graham, who told me the identities of opposition politicians who raised their hats to us in passing while white hooligans mocked and jeered.

Nancy has since died and I’m nearly 92, having spent most of my life, after a sojourn overseas working, from 58 onward, everywhere behind the limelight against apartheid. During this time I received much assistance from the Black Sash office at one of my missions – as an ex-Transvaal isiXhosa speaker – helping people without passes who were struggling to survive.

Another service of inspiration for me was the time I spent as a post-war student of mutual health in District Six. The indomitable courage and cheerfulness of so many mothers in that harsh and vibrant community filled me with respect.

Mary Burton, it was not fair of you to imply what you did after jumping to the wrong conclusion. I did not claim to be speaking for the Black Sash.

I signed my personal opinion as a veteran voluntary aid detachment army (VAD) nurse who happened to be one of the original Black Sash protesters outside Parliament.