Swaminathan Karuppa "Swami" Gounden (1927 – 30 November 2021) was a South African trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist from Natal.
Swami Gounden | |
|---|---|
| Born | Swaminathan Karuppa Gounden 1927 |
| Died | 30 November 2021 (aged 93) |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Other political affiliations | Natal Indian Congress South African Communist Party |
Life and activism
editBorn in 1927 in Durban,[1] Gounden entered politics through the trade union movement and joined the Communist Party of South Africa at Magazine Barracks in 1944.[2] The following year, he was a member of the progressive faction of the Natal Indian Congress that installed Monty Naicker at the head of the congress, ousting its conservative incumbent leadership.[2] He was active in the congress's passive resistance campaign against the so-called Ghetto Act.[1]
He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1950 and participated in the 1952 Defiance Campaign and 1955 Congress of the People.[1] Over the next five decades, he was active in civic organisations in Natal, notably residents' associations in Asherville and the United Democratic Front.[1] In 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa awarded him the Order of Luthuli in Silver, "For his life-long and courageous fight against apartheid oppression".[3]
He died on 30 November 2021, aged 93,[4] and was granted an official provincial funeral, at which KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala delivered the eulogy.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Mr Swaminathan 'Swami' Karuppa Gounden". The Presidency. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Self-isolating KZN premier pays tribute to Freedom Charter stalwart Swaminathan Gounden". Sunday Times. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Presidency announces recipients of National Orders". Dispatch. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Monama, Tebogo (30 November 2021). "Anti-apartheid activist Swaminathan 'Swami' Gounden has died". News24. Retrieved 31 May 2023.