Could not be part of injustices
MERGAN Naidoo played a leading role in getting his brothers-in-arms together for their 45th reunion.
He is still reaching out across the globe to make contact with those who have not yet been in touch with the organising committee.
He said planning for the event started three months ago.
Finally about 30 of the men enjoyed a boys’ night out on Friday, and then a dinner and dance with their partners at Blue Lagoon Conference Centre on Saturday.
Now stationed in Johannesburg, Naidoo and a few of the members met five years ago and since then they have located many of the old boys.
“We are now between 60 and 64 years old and we have also lost a few members due to illness,” he said.
Naidoo, who is originally from Pietermaritzburg, enjoyed swimming and didn't think twice when his uncle Wolfie, who was already a member, encouraged him to join the South African Navy.
He said until then the SANDF was mainly for white South Africans and he never knew what to expect.
“When training became aggressive sometimes one would think: ‘What am I doing here?’” Naidoo said.
When the first 11 months were completed he opted to become a radio and radar technician for communications.
In July 1981, he left the navy because of his conscience.
“At the height of the apartheid resistance we were in positions where we had to shoot on sight.
“My political awareness made me aware of the injustices of our government. I could not be part of it,” Naidoo said.
He joined Schindler South Africa as a lift technician and was the first black person to work at the company. This was followed by a position as facilities manager at Southern Sun.
He then opened his own business.