And the winner is ... Kumi Naidoo

In my post titled “Voice of the voiceless” the point is made that acquiescence, submission, silence when subjected to abuse, entrenches the abusers and leads to more abuse. So it was heartening to read that -

“The Democratic Republic of Congo's first lady has led thousands of women on a march against sexual violence.

Olive Lembe Kabila headed the rally in the town of Bukavu in the east of the country, where Congolese and foreign armed groups have operated for years.

Last week, the UN said government troops were raping and killing women in the same villages where hundreds were raped by rebels in July and August.

On Friday, the head of the UN mission in DR Congo, Monusco, said an estimated 15,000 people had been raped there last year …” Read more ...

Also making the news was –

“Anger as marchers protest against Secrecy Bill

By: Issa Sikiti da Silva

An estimated 500 people from various parts of Gauteng marched yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, 19 October 2010, from Wits University to the Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, to vent their anger and frustration against the Protection of Information Bill - also known as the 'Secrecy Bill' - a soon-to-be enacted legislation many believe will stem the free access to information and create a totalitarian and secretive South Africa.

 "An attack has been launched against us and we need to defend ourselves," march moderator and Right2Know coordinator Siphiwe Segodi told the excited crowd just after midday as they assembled in front of Wits Senate House in anticipation of the march. "With our mouths taped"

"We will march silently to the Constitution Hill with our mouths taped, because this is what this legislation seeks to achieve," he added.
The ambiguous and much-hated Protection of Information Bill, an apartheid-old style legislation now being resuscitated by the 'democratic' government, will classify all information deemed 'sensitive and vital' for the security of the state. According to the bill, anyone found in possession of 'classified' information could be jailed for up to 25 years.” Read more ... 



educationforum.co.uk



Demonstrating, as an effective means to confront, embarrass and discredit that which is wrong, has been with us for a long time. Two most notable examples are the suffragettes, of 1903, and the flower children, also known as hippies of the 60s. The former led to the near emancipation of women. The latter helped get rid of the Vietnam war and put a break on nuclear bomb proliferation.

Zimbabweans, in particular, will be forever indebted to Kumi Naidoo who even went on hunger strike in order to secure their freedom.

“Kumi Naidoo, born 1965, is a South African human rights activist and the International Executive Director of international environmentalist group, Greenpeace. He is the first African to head the organisation.

After battling apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s through the Helping Hands Youth Organisation, Naidoo led global campaigns to end poverty and protect human rights. Recently, he has led the Global Campaign for Climate Action, which brings together environmental, aid, religious and human rights groups, labor unions, scientists and others and has organized mass demonstrations around climate negotiations.” Read more …

Kumi did not succeed, even though he was joined by no oherb than Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as he was up against a powerful coalition led by Thabo Mbeki. See "Hunger strike for Zimbabwe change".
Some justice, however occurred when the latter, as powerful as he was, was later removed by the vote of ordinary branch members at the ANC’s last conference held at Polokwane.

Kumi Naidoo is our hero for his spirit of selflessness
for standing up
 for being a voice for the voiceless.