Message from President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of the commemoration of Valliamma Munuswami Mudlia
On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, we would like to wish the Tamil Community in South Africa well in their commemoration of Valliamma Munuswami Mudliar on 22 February 2015.
Valliamma Munuswami Mudliar occupies a special place in the history of this country, and of the Tamil community in particular, for the political role that she played at a tender age of 15 years when she joined women in the protests against unjust laws in 1913. Valliamma participated in various protests in the then Natal against discriminatory laws on the members of the Indian community, which included prohibition of marriages which were not conducted according to Christian rites, such as Hindu and Muslim.
Despite her age, Valliamma participated in many protests with women among others in places such as Dundee, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg, Tongaat and Durban in 1913, until their arrest at Volkrust in the then Eastern Transvaal on 22 December 1913. She died on 22 February 1914. Her courage and selflessness in rejecting an offer of early release from prison despite have taken ill during incarceration distinguishes her as a rare child martyr whose heroic deeds must continue to resonate with deepest meaning today.
This year's 60th commemoration of the Freedom Charter, which espoused equal rights, freedom of religion, cultural and linguistic rights, resonates perfectly with the cause Valliamma dedicated her life to more than a hundred years ago.
As South Africans, we pay tribute to her, content in the knowledge that her inspirational political journey, however short, constituted an important step in this country's journey to freedom and democracy. She remains a perennial source of inspiration not only for the Tamil community but for the youth and the population of South Africa. As we celebrate her, let us continue to imbibe many lessons from her life and hold her in the highest regard that she deserves.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
