The late African National Congress (ANC) struggle stalwart Laloo Isu Chiba has been remembered at a memorial service at the Avalon Cemetery Crematorium in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.
In an obituary, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, of which Chiba was a board member, said Chiba was born on November 5, 1930 in Johannesburg. He attended the Bree Street Primary School and the Johannesburg Indian High School in Fordsburg. He married his wife Luxmi in India on May 5, 1952.
“In the early 1950s, he befriended young activists of the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress (TIYC) such as Ahmed ‘Kathy’ Kathrada, Bobby and Tommy Vassen, and Herbie Pillay, which awakened his early political consciousness. Kathrada’s arrest in 1956 together with 155 leaders of the congress movement on treason charges got Chiba thinking more seriously about his own political role.”
“In the late 1950s he became politically active in the campaigns of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) and the broader congress movement led by the ANC.”
“The Sharpeville massacre, the banning of the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), and the declaration of a state of emergency by the racist National Party had a profound impact on his life. He joined the banned South African Communist Party (SACP) in 1960, being recruited to the party by the late ANC veteran Reggie Vandeyar,” the foundation said.
“Early in 1961, his SACP cell was changed into a sabotage unit under the leadership of Wolfie Kodesh. This unit was involved in the disruption of power supply and telecommunication networks in Johannesburg and surrounding areas.”
“In the latter half of 1961, the SACP unit was instructed to disband and become part of the ANC’s armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK).”
He was arrested on July 6, 1964, taken to Langlaagte police station and detained in terms of the 90 days detention law.
He was charged on several counts of sabotage together with four accused, namely Wilton Mkwayi, David Kitson, John Matthews, and Mac Maharaj, in what came to be known as the “Little Rivonia Trial.”
Chiba was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on Robben Island Prison, which he served to the last day with leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Kathrada.
In prison, he served on the communications committee in B-section set up by the high organ of the ANC to smuggle messages to the outside world and to the general section of political prisoners.
He, together with Mac Maharaj, was responsible for the transcription and smuggling out of prison of Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.
Meanwhile, Gauteng premier David Makhura conveyed sincere condolences to the family of Chiba, who died on Friday at the age of 87.
“Chiba had a mild heart attack a few days ago and was hospitalised. He was discharged this week and passed away at his home in Lenasia,” Makhura said.
“We are saddened by the passing of the ANC veteran Isu Laloo Chiba. I visited him at his home on Wednesday after he discharged from hospital. His impact on our revolution was profound. His name is synonymous with discipline and leadership through the powerful force of example. He was a gracious, self-effacing, and compassionate comrade,” said Makhura.
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