Struggle veteran Ramgobin will never be forgotten

SELFLESS service and an ability to leave a lasting impression on all he met have made struggle veteran Mawalal “Mewa” Ramgobin a hero who will never be forgotten.

Ramgobin, 83, died in Cape Town this week after battling several illnesses. Born and raised in Inanda, he was an activist who firmly believed in and lived by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, whose granddaughter, Ela, he was once married to.

As president of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC), founded by Gandhi in 1894, he carried on the great man’s legacy.

He established a Gandhi museum and library, organised the annual Gandhi lecture and educated people from different race groups on the Gandhi’s thinking.

The father of five was known as a hard-working man.

“His main aim in life was to uplift the people in his community. Ela and Mewa spent much of their time together on this,” said Ramgobin’s nephew, Satish Dupelia, who shared a close relationship with his uncle.

Gandhi and Ramgobin divorced in 1990 and a few years later he married Mariam Moosagie Ahmedjee.

They had a son and at the time of his death he was living in Cape Town to be closer to his youngest friends. He realised he could not object to discrimination towards Indians if he discriminated against others.

At the University of Natal, he headed the non-European Students’ Representative Council and in the 1960s he joined the Phoenix Settlement.

In 1965, he became a prisoner in his home thanks to a banning order.

His family said this was a very tough time as they could no longer function as a “normal” family.

“We never got to go out to the beach or park and spend time together like other families because of the house arrest. We spent much of our time indoors, but we learnt to become more family-orientated because of the confinement,” his children said.

In September 1971, Ramgobin was banned again after he organised a petition for clemency for political prisoners. He remained under house arrest until February 1973.

In March of that year he received a parcel bomb – the first incident in South Africa – which exploded in his Durban office.

Later government restrictions prevented him from working in Durban. He moved his office to Verulam and settled there.

In 1984, as treasurer of the United Democratic Front (UDF), he was arrested and held for 19 days.

He went into hiding after his release, seeking refuge in the British consulate, but was arrested again on October 6 and accused of high treason after the 1984 anti-apartheid uprising.

After being acquitted in December, 1985, Ramgobin continued his work with the UDF.

He was a member of Parliament for the ANC until his retirement in 2009 and chaired the Phoenix Settlement Trust.

Outside of politics, his children said he spent his spare time gardening, reading books, watching cricket on TV and he was a passionate soccer player.

He was also known to be a good cook who made the “best” tomato chutney, as well as his speciality, gadra (borlotti) beans and potatoes.

There was also a time in Ramgobin’s life when he aspired to be a Bollywood star. Determined to make his dreams a reality, he flew to India to follow his passion.

“He landed two roles as an extra in movies, but that was about it. It was fascinating to see him go there to accomplish his goal of being a film star.

“Many people talk about such dreams, but never actually pursue them. Mewa was different. He had a dream and he chased it. Even though he didn’t succeed, his determination thrilled us,” said Dupelia.

His children said the one thing that would always stand out for them about their father was the close relationship he had with his five grandchildren.

“Right up until his death, he was close to all his grandchildren. They shared a bond that always made us smile. When his grandchildren sat with him, they could get away with anything and the serious side of him would fade away,” said Imthian.

He said his father was a man who always put the needs of his family first.

“There are so many lessons I’ve learnt from him. It would be hard for me to pick some. I will never forget his final words: He said he loved me and that’s enough to tell people about the compassionate man that he was,” said Imthian.

He said the material things in life never mattered to his father.

“He would never buy himself something fancy or spend money on himself; instead, he would always call people over and entertain them.

“He was truly a man of the people. He taught us the meaning of humility, kindness and equality,” he said.

Ramgobin’s legacy will be kept alive by his children, who continue to do work in the Phoenix settlement.