The African National Congress (ANC) raises its revolutionary banner in honour of Comrade Enuga S Reddy, a recipient of the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo. A citizen of India who lived in the United States, Comrade Reddy was unrelenting in embracing the struggle of the South African people as his own. He was an embodiment of international solidarity against apartheid.
Comrade Reddy was one of the ANC’s main links in the United Nations since the late 1940s. He worked hard to draw the international community to the crimes and injustices of apartheid. International solidarity was one of the pillars of our struggle. Indeed, South Africa’s liberation from racial oppression is, in part, a product of the work of all freedom-loving people across the world.
Comrade Reddy is among the founders of the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid and the UN Centre Against Apartheid. He served as Director of the Centre until his retirement from the UN in 1984.
As we mourn his passing, we recall his rallying call before the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid in 1988 where he proclaimed: “I cannot feel free, as an Indian, until South Africa is free of apartheid. You can count on me as a volunteer in the international campaign against apartheid until that great day.”
Since the 1940s, Comrade Reddy has enjoyed a close relationship with the leadership of the ANC, notably President OR Tambo and Comrade MP Naicker, who was Editor of Sechaba and Director of the ANC Department of Information and Publicity from 1966 until his untimely death in 1977.
After retirement, he dedicated himself to a documentary that records South Africa’s freedom struggle. We are indebted to him for, among other things, the publication of the collected speeches of Isithwalandwe Inkosi Albert Luthuli and Isithwalandwe Dr Yusuf Dadoo. These important documents might have been completely lost had it not been for Comrade Reddy’s selfless work.
Comrade Reddy’s entire life was dedicated to the fight for justice and freedom. We salute his courage and selfless dedication to the freedom of the people of South Africa.
The ANC conveys its heartfelt condolences to his family, friend and the entire progressive movement across the world. We wish them strength and fortitude in their moment of grief.
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ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
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Pule Mabe
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