17 December 1977
[A memorial meeting organised by the ANC in London on December 17,1977, to mark the death of Comrade Jack Hodgson was attended by over 300 people. Speakers at the meeting were: Thomas Nkobi, Treasurer General of the ANC and representative of its National Executive Committee; Dr. Yusuf M. Dadoo, Chairman of the South African Communist Party; John Gaetsewe, Secretary General of SACTU; and Joe Slovo, representing the Revolutionary Council. Rusty Bernstein spoke on behalf of the family. The meeting was chaired by Steven Dlamini, President of SACTU and member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC.]
For many years now the South African Security Police and propaganda machinery have focussed attention on the activities of the great freedom fighter Jack Hodgson, regarding him as one of the mos feared South African Communists, a military expert and teacher in the use of explosives and sabotage, a man greatly loved by all who cherish freedom. THIS IS TRUE!
Jack Hodgson was a man with a deep appreciation of oppression, as a result of which he became a great teacher contributing to the nucleus around which Umkhonto we Sizwe units were established. He was among the first with technical know-how of explosives who was fully prepared to impart this knowledge so that the aims of liberation could be achieved. He ensured that the black man was no longer unarmed in his struggle, but would fully understand the military aspects of warfare, and would have the means of implementing them.
Jack was in the forefront fighting fascism wherever it existed. After fighting as a "Desert Rat" in North Africa, he came back from the war against Hitler's Nazism, Mussolini's fascism and Japan's militarism to a South Africa where the disciples of Hitler were organising themselves to usurp power.
A centrepiece of the Springbok Legion, which had the slogan at that time already of "Do Not Mourn, Mobilise", he dedicated his life to ridding South Africa of the scourge of fascism.
The foundations of our ability to resist, to conduct a war against our oppressors, were laid in the founding of our military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, of which Jack was a founder member. Thus when we commemorate the founding of MK, and pay this tribute to a founder member, we remember at the same time all those patriots who have lost their lives in pursuance of the aims and objectives of the ANC, that is, to liberate our country from the colonialists and imperialists by means of armed struggle in order to transfer political, military and economic power to the people.
Jack Hodgson was indeed a great soldier. During his illness he never moaned and groaned. Indeed he was a quiet man of action, seldom seen in the limelight, but the results of his activities are today felt everywhere. He is a man like the Guevara, Mini, Fischer and many others who will be more feared by the enemy dead than alive, as the ideals of what they fought for, and the example they set, will last forever.
Back home he was fully engaged in the liberation struggle, and the comrades who worked with him used to call him the "Desert Rat" because of his zealousness and dedication to the cause of liberation, and his tremendous ability to work harmoniously with the underground machinery. Without going into great detail about everything that Comrade Jack did for the ANC, we pay tribute to this great warrior who was an example to the whites in South Africa, showing that there is room for all sections of the population to play their part in liquidating fascism in our country.
He was amongst those whites who refused to enjoy the bribery and privilege that is part and parcel of the way of life for whites in South Africa. Instead he chose a life full of hardship and self-sacrifice, totally dedicated to the cause of liberation, human justice and dignity.
Jack was a man of the people, and shared the suffering and sorrow of the black people of South Africa. When the Malan governmen took power, he was in the forefront fighting against fascism in South Africa, and those of us old enough to remember will never forget the many battles on the City Hall steps.
Comrades, the activity of Comrade Jack was not done in isolation. There are progressive whites who lived and thought like he did, men like the late Bram Fischer, or Denis Goldberg serving a life sentence in Pretoria Local and many others who are identifying themselves with the liberation struggle for national independence, freedom, peace and justice. They are the vanguard in whos footsteps whites in South Africa should follow. The African National Congress calls upon all sections of the population to join the ranks of Umkhonto we Sizwe to fight against fascism in our country. This is what Jack Hodgson stood for! Died for! The ANC shall continue this great work of armed struggle which you initiated until victory is achieved.
Your memory will remain everlasting in our minds for the courage and inspiration you have demonstrated for all the people of South Africa, and indeed throughout the world.
Victory or Death!
Amandla! Matla!
Power to the People!