UKZN honours Struggle veteran
THE University of KwaZulu-Natal has posthumously honoured Struggle veteran and author Phyllis Naidoo by naming one of its Edgewood campus buildings after her.
Naidoo, 85, who died in 2013, was involved in the liberation movement, and later worked with her husband, MD Naidoo, and politician Govan Mbeki in helping underground activists emigrate.
She joined the SACP and challenged the Bantu Education Act.
Naidoo is survived by her daughter, Sukhthi. Her sons, Sadhan and Sha, have passed away.
Her younger brother, Paul David, said the acknowledgement was a fitting tribute.
“My sister was always studying, and that too in great hardship. She qualified as a teacher and was then banned in terms of security laws at the time. However, she did not give up. She juggled being a mother and studying, pursuing her law degree. She achieved academic success in trying times, defeating all the odds. It is comforting and fitting that she has been bestowed this honour.”
Historian Kiru Naidoo, who worked with Naidoo on several projects, added: “The University of Durban-Westville previously conferred her an honorary doctorate to recognise her stellar role in the freedom struggle. In keeping with her generous character, she accepted the certificate in a cardboard tube but handed back the expensive academic gown to give to a deserving student.
“She also studied part-time in the segregated black section of Howard College, and that left a painful imprint. We miss her presence, but we enjoyed her in life.”
UKZN’s acting executive director of corporate relations, Normah Zondo, said a naming committee had been established to drive the project which commenced last year.
She said calls for submissions were made in July to August and that the university’s council approved the three names for buildings at the Edgewood campus.
Buildings are also named after women’s rights activist and politician Ellen Kuzwayo and anti-apartheid activist Dulcie September.
The official naming ceremonies will take place during the course of the year.