Tributes pour in for humble ‘Aunty Vivvy’
FUNERAL arrangements for Struggle stalwart Vivian Daniels, who died at the age of 82 on Wednesday, are expected to be announced soon.
Affectionately known as “Aunty Vivvy”, Daniels died peacefully of natural causes.
Daniels began her life as an activist in 1979/1980 when Wilfred Rhodes, a community activist, and a young Trevor Manuel, who were 43 and 23 respectively, got her involved in improving the living conditions of poor people.
The ANC said yesterday it was in mourning. ANC provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs said: “She was one of those resolute leaders who gathered her community to fight and defy the apartheid regime. Auntie Vivvy touched many, many lives.
“She walked with the giants of our Struggle, such as Albertina Sisulu, and yet never lost the common touch. She was a people’s person, an ordinary mother who became an admired freedom fighter.”
Such was her intensity and commitment to the freedom Struggle that Daniels’ house in Bellville South became the unofficial hive of Struggle activity in the area.
In her lifetime, Daniels addressed many meetings, including United Democratic Front rallies.
She also spoke at a mass meeting in Bonteheuwel, sharing a platform with Allan Boesak and Umkhonto we Sizwe soldier Ashley Kriel, according to the ANC.
In 1983, she was involved in the founding of a crisis centre, which later became the Bellville Advice Office, and which supported young people who were in detention.
She leaves her son Anthony, daughter Carol, a daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. |