1963 (1)
"During these difficult days our minds and hearts go out to Nelson Mandela, Nana Sita and other acknowledged leaders of our people who have shown such a tremendous spirit of sacrifice and courage," said Dr. G. M. Naicker, President of the South African Indian Congress, in a New Year message to the people of South Africa.
Continuing, he said: "History will perhaps record 1962 as a year of mighty intimidation in South Africa. It will also record that freedom fighters refused to be intimidated.
"We enter 1963 with more and more peoples of Africa taking their rightful place among the free peoples of the world. The year 1962 saw tremendous changes on our Continent and the world has survived a great crisis which brought humanity to the brink of nuclear war.
"We also witnessed the tragic dispute between India and China - a dispute which left many disillusioned," he said.
Stating that on our Continent South Africa has remained a festering sore, with the entire world again condemning the new drastic measures introduced by the Nationalists in 1962, Dr. Naicker added: "The inhuman house arrests, the banning of New Age and the tragedies wrought by Group Areas have indeed given our country a bad name in all parts of the world."
Concluding his message Dr. Naicker said: "I extend my heartiest greetings to all South Africans of all races and fervently hope that in 1963 we will make further advancement towards the consolidation of the democratic forces so that we can unitedly usher in a democratic South Africa for all her people."