By Naadiya Adams
Its been weeks of tragedy for the Laudium community, who have seen so many giants fall in the wake of a devastating pandemic and the trauma is not over yet. This week struggle stalwart Maniben Sita, daughter of Nana Sita, has passed on, shattering the hearts of thousands of South Africans.
Described as a visionary, she stood like a rock against the injustices of the apartheid regime and has cemented her legacy as one of the most influential and inspirational women of her time.
“Her contribution to the struggle shall never be forgotten and as a community, we salute her contributions and recall with fond memories of the many tales she recounted as an activist. May the almighty grant her family the strength to bear this tragic loss with fortitude but also with pride on her achievements,” said Ramesh Chhagan, President of the Samaj and chairman of the Pretoria Hindu Society.
A former ANC councillor, Sita was a guiding force in her community, a pillar that many looked up to.
“I remember her and many other freedom fighters bringing food for us as students in 1980 when we supported the student uprising and demonstrated against The House of Delegates. We were only in std 8 but looked up to her leadership. I invited her to address our learners at Laudium Secondary on June 16 and Human Rights day. She was really articulate and had an excellent command of the English language,” wrote educator Daya Chetty.
She was passionate about empowering women and encouraging young girls to grab the opportunities afforded to them. In an acceptance speech in February 2013, Maniben was one of the recipients of the annual Valliamma Mudliar Awards to exceptional women leaders made by the Tamil Federation of Gauteng, she urged women to take vigorous action against societal ills.
“Today’s young Indian women have more opportunity to take action against evils in the society and should do so more vigorously. The young women of today don’t know enough of our history,” Sita said.
“We The Laudium Women's Network, have lost a stalwart within our community who will be sadly missed. Manibhen Sita was an activist and visionary. As a member of the LWN, an umbrella organisation formed nine years ago, with over 30 cross-cultural, interfaith and multi-racial charity and community-based organisations, who selflessly serve the community in \"Building the Community Together\", Manibhen is someone we all looked to for guidance. She was active in the formative years of the network,” said Hafsa Bhika Carim LWN Chairperson.
Sita led the campaign against the voting of the racist House of Delegates election in Laudium on election day in August 1984, Sita sat outside the polling station in Laudium dressed in black. She was a silent sentinel, a reminder to people that these were not democratic elections. A low number of locals participated & voted.
A feisty Sita was willing to go to jail for her cause, she was incarcerated for 3 months for sitting on a “whites only” bench at the Pretoria Railway Station.
Born into a family of activists, her activism sparked around the age of 13 when her father told her of the factionist regimes and the infighting within the Transvaal Indian Congress. Her father Nana Sita who was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and personally met him joined the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) in 1928. He was an executive member and chairman of the Pretoria branch. Later his daughter became an executive member of the same branch.
“Maniben will be remembered for her commitment to liberation, non-racialism, and equality. In 1946-47, she organised a group of women to demonstrate against some of the apartheid laws. She was a member of the Transvaal Indian Congress. Maniben was sent to prison several times during her long involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle. Our condolences to her family, friends, and comrades during this time,” wrote the Kathrada Foundation.
“A spirited and remarkable woman who inspired generations and who through her life demonstrated her commitment to her people. She and my late mother were primary school friends, went to jail together and remained friends and comrades forever,” Judge Jody Kollapen.
She said in a public appearance recently that her doctor had told her after a recent fall that she would live to be 100.
“I hope you are all here again to celebrate that birthday with me as well,” she said.
Sadly, she fell 6 years short of that dream and passed on at the age of 94.
“Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has robbed us of that opportunity to recognise a great leader again or even to bid her a befitting farewell,” said Yusuf Moosajee, Executive Director of the Congress of Business and Economics (CBE), which was born out of the erstwhile Transvaal Indian Congress which was started by Gandhi during his time in Johannesburg.
Laudium Today was privileged to have spent time with Sita just last year at her retirement home in Laudium and four years ago attended her 90th Birthday celebration.
We at Laudium Today would like to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families
Picture 1 Credit : Fakir Hassen
Described as a visionary, she stood like a rock against the injustices of the apartheid regime
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