+27 11 381 3100
Fatima Meer (1928–2010) was not widely recognized outside her country; however, she needed no introduction in South Africa. She stood as one of the most prominent leaders in the Liberation Movement of Indian origin. A distinguished academic, a prolific writer, and a passionate political activist, she was, above all, a tireless advocate for social justice and human rights. Additionally, she was a close friend and confidante of Nelson Mandela and authored his biography, Higher Than Hope: The Authorized Biography of Nelson Mandela (Hamish Hamilton, 1990).
Recipient of several international awards, Fatima was nominated in 2004 as one of the fifty greatest South Africans. In 1999, she was listed among the top ‘100 Women Who Shook South Africa.’ Despite being banned three times by the apartheid government, shot at, and imprisoned, she remained a fearless anti-apartheid fighter until freedom was won. Fiercely independent, she was a compelling character of Muslim and Indian heritage who left a profound impact on the history of South Africa’s Liberation Movement. Her life story and contributions should be preserved for future generations.
Born in 1948, Arjumand Wajid graduated in Philosophy and Geography from the University of the Punjab, Pakistan, in 1967. In 1968, she arrived in Britain as a young bride. Later, she completed her BA (Hons.) in journalism from the University of East London in 1983, followed by a diploma in Journalism in 1984 from the University of Westminster. Arjumand joined the Essex Chronicle Series as a reporter in 1984 and left as a specialist writer in 1989 as a result of a journalists strike against anti-union laws and the de-recognition of the Journalists’ Union, ‘The National Union of Journalists’ (NUJ) by the company. She spent a year on the picket line until the end of the strike. In 1990, she joined the Urdu Service of the BBC World Service as a radio production assistant. she progressed to become a radio producer with one of the most popular World Service programmes, ‘Outlook’ in 1991. She returned to Urdu Service as producer/presenter in 1992 and retired after twenty years as a radio broadcaster. Notably, she has also contributed to journalism and trade union movement by training professionals in more than thirty-five countries as a freelance trainer between 2000 and 2016.
You are invited to join the book launch for the book “Born to Struggle” by Arjumand Wajid graduated on the 22nd of August 2024 at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, 107 Central Street, Houghton, Johannesburg. Registrants are encouraged to register by the 21st of August 2024.
Please click on this link to RSVP
