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Phyllis Naidoo

Phyllis Naidoo (born on January 05, 1928) was a South African political activist, lawyer, author and an active member of numerous organizations such as the Non-European Unity Movement, South African Communist Party, North American Interfraternity Conference, and African National Congress.

Early Life Phyllis Naidoo was the daughter of Simon David, a 'Methodist agnostic' whom was politically active. Thus, with this Naidoo grew up around many debates and political agendas that eventually led to her taking interest in the Institute of Race Relations Conference in Pietermaritzburg where she served tea and listened to political debates. This conference would spark her community service in her high school with the Friends of the Sick Association (FOSA). This passion of Naidoo's to help her community and the sick would branch out to her being tuberculosis nurse aid at King George V Hospital as well extending into the world of politics.

Activism Life Phyllis Naidoo noting South Africa needed much help in terms of health, community service and government, she joined the Non-European Unity Movement, and helped create the Human Rights Committee at Natal University. With the Human Rights Committee, she took to raise money for those who were trial for apartheid crimes. Most notably, Phyllis Naidoo focused all her life up to her death pursuing against the South African government and their corruption. With her passion of improving her country, she took many ideals like joining the South African Communist Party. This later on would lead her exile of South Africa in 1977. Despite, the exile she would join the African National Congress (ANC) and continued her causes in the SACP and ANC like helping members escape. Elmor308 (talk) 02:56, 24 April 2024 (UTC)

Phyllis Naidoo

Introduction

Phyllis Naidoo was a South African activist who had deep influence regarding the struggles both the U.S. and South African governments faced against communism in the 1950s through the 1980s. Additionally, she was a prominent figure in the fall of the South African apartheid government.

Early Life

Phyllis Naidoo was born on January 5th, 1928, in Estcourt, South Africa, now known as (KwaZulu-Natal). Her father, Simon David, instilled himself as a strong Methodist agnostic. Phyllis Naidoo’s father was never politically active, naturally instigating an interest in political activism due to the restriction. Her life changing experience occurred at the age of ten, when her father took her to an Institute of Race Relations Conference in Pietermaritzburg. At the conference, an awful incident caused her to awaken and attempt to end the evils of racism. During the eleventh grade, she began volunteering with the Friends of the Sick Association (FOSA). Under the Friends of the Sick Association (FOSA), students like Naidoo established a care center and home for tuberculosis patients. Around that time, Naidoo also began working with a women’s association that contributed to the war effort by knitting socks for soldiers. After graduating high school in 1945, Naidoo moved to Tongaat with her family, where she would begin officially working for FOSA.

Career

At FOSA, Phyllis Naidoo’s jack of all trades career would officially begin. By 1945, she would be a tuberculosis nurse assistant. During her time at King George V’s Hospital, she would witness numerous acts of suffering due to tuberculosis, and as she was informed that such suffering was caused by the poor conditions of South Africa, she vowed to try and improve South Africa. With the never-ending suffering at FOSA, she moved into the world of politics. Naidoo became involved with the NEUM (Non-European Unity Movement), with whom she helped create the Human Rights Committee. With the Human Rights Committee, she raised money to help those who were on trial for apartheid crimes. Southern African Humanities author Mxolisi Dlamuka emphasizes that prior to said trials, the South African government made one hundred and fifty-six arrests for treason against members of the Communist Party of South Africa (SACP), the African National Congress (ANC), and other organizations. Undoubtedly seeing the corruption unfold before her eyes, Naidoo became determined to get more involved in the political turmoil of South Africa. Her commitment to South African politics and activism would affect all parts of her life. Leading her in 1961 to join the South African Communist Party. A party that was heavily persecuted at the time by both the South African and American governments. With much passion, Naidoo’s involvement would extend to joining the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) as well as other organizations.

Personal Life

Due to Phyllis Naidoo’s activism, her personal life was very complex. She got married twice; her first marriage was to a man named Willie Joseph. They had a son named Nersen, yet their marriage dissolved shortly after. Willie Joseph would leave for the United States, leaving Nersen with his mother, Naidoo. However, at the age of ten, Nersen went to visit his father in the United States and never returned. Naidoo would not hear from her son until he was in his 20s. Yet shortly after regaining contact, Naidoo was advised to break all contact with her son, as he could be an American plant, reports South African History Online. It was notable that in the mid-1970s, the American government was using all tactics against 'politically threating' leaders, and Naidoo at the time was already a known communist. Shortly after her disconnection with her son, she would learn Nersen died in the mid-1980s, attempting, like his mother, to liberate Africa. In 1958, Naidoo had remarried a man named MD Naidoo, a known communist member of the SACP. With greater involvement in politics and known communists, Phyllis Naidoo began to be targeted by the South African government. She would receive an explosive package along with other colleagues in 1979 that would severely injure them. By 1983, she and her family members would be warned to leave Lesotho, South Africa, immediately, or else she would be killed. This would be the end of her time in South Africa until 1990, when she was able to return after seeking asylum in Zimbabwe. With all the challenges and restrictions placed on her, Naidoo would continue her involvement in the destruction of the apartheid government and a better Africa.

Awards

In 2003, Phyllis Naidoo was given the Luthuli In Sliver for her contribution to human rights and the struggle for liberation in South Africa. Although Naidoo didn’t receive much recognition for her work in the 1950s and 1980s, she wrote books, so no one forgot what occurred within South Africa. Elmor308 (talk) 22:22, 29 April 2024 (UTC)