Conference Marks South Africa Freedom Day
South Africa Freedom Day was marked on June 26 with a media conference bringing together a number of participants.
A spokesperson said, “A media conference was held on Friday, June 26 at Cathedral Hall. In attendance was Bishop Nicholas Dill, prelate of the Anglican Church; Police Superintendent Jason Smith; Ellen- Kate Horton, former President of the BUT, Glenn Fubler, former President of the BUT; Victor Fishington, former President of the BIU’s BTC Division; Sifiso Msuthu [African Association of Bermuda]; Maurice Lowe, Warwick Academy staff; Ms Wade, Whitney Institute Middle School staff; and students Emily Foster-Skelton [Whitney] and Ryan Walker [Warwick].
“We opened in dialogue amongst the ten in attendance. The point was made by Glenn that Nelson Mandela credits the cross-generational dialogues that were held monthly in his village in rural South Africa for providing the solid foundation that served him well over the years of challenge.
“In the spirit of ‘thinking globally, acting locally,’ we mark South Africa Freedom Day by highlighting four deceased exemplars who acted outside of boxes, demonstrating solidarity during challenging times. These are Dr Barbara Ball, Canon Thomas Nisbett, Rev Larry Lowe, and Sgt Campbell Simons.
“On June 26, 1950, thousands of South Africans staged a general strike in protest of a brutal Apartheid Regime attack on peaceful campaigners on May 1st of that year, which resulted in 18 deaths and the imprisonment of 8,000.
“On June 26, 1955, several hundred activists, representing the ethnic groups of South Africa, came together in a Congress of the People – within days, they drew up the Freedom Charter, the guiding vision for a new South Africa.
“That same year, in December 1955, that spirit of solidarity manifested in Montgomery with the iconic Bus Boycott. Three years later, that spirit resulted in the success of the Theatre Boycott in two weeks. Over those next decades, ordinary people in solidarity facilitated progressive transformation of Bermuda and many other parts of the globe.
“Among the untold numbers exemplifying solidarity were:
- Dr Barbara Ball – Bermuda’s first female doctor who stepped out of the boxes of race and class, championing the right to vote and standing with workers through the BIU, for decades.
- Canon Thomas Nisbett overcame significant barriers to become the first Anglican Priest and Canon, standing with workers during the crisis of 1981 plus serving as Honourary Chair of Bermuda Anti-Apartheid Coalition.
- Rev Larry Lowe made St Paul AME a sanctuary for the 1977 hangings crisis.
- Sgt Campbell Simons showed exemplary action during the ’81 labour crisis, which reduced tension and facilitated resolution.
“In this same spirit, on Wednesday, July 1st from 7pm to 7.30pm, Bermuda is welcomed to join in celebrating with appreciation the success of the Theatre Boycott.”
