A life lived is probably how Isu would humbly describe his 87 years. “Duty and Dynamite: A Life of Activism” by Laloo ‘Isu’ Chiba was jointly edited by Shabir Ballim, Neeshan Balton, Prema Naidoo, Razia Saleh, Rashid Seedat and Ismail Vadi. So let’s deal with the man before the book.
I joined the Lenasia Youth League in 1982 and got to know Isu from 1983 when he threw himself into the struggle after spending 18 years in prison. His warm and solid embrace is as legendary as his dedication to the struggle and commitment to strong ethical values and principles. I recall the bus boycott in June 1985 by Lenasia commuters. A community decision was made on a Sunday with the boycott to be effective the next day. It required immediate door to door campaigning, plastering of rapidly made posters and other organisational activities. Our task was then to arrive early each morning before the first bus took off, to speak to commuters who may not have been informed and to picket. Others, picketed at the ‘Town’ bus stops each afternoon and evening. Late each evening we met to evaluate the day’s boycott and to replan.
I was in the throes of mid-year exams but duty called and rising extra early in winter was the bigger challenge. I recall Isu being one of the first people to arrive, the last to leave and to be consistently there each day of the boycott for the allotted time. This was not only inspiring but showed that no task was ‘beneath’ him. The absence of other senior office bearers was evident.
Prema Naidoo, Yusuf Areff, Isu Chiba, Ismail Momoniat, Feizel Mamdoo and Mohseen Moosa
I got to know him more intimately when we were arrested in July 1985 after returning from attending the funeral of the Cradock Four – Matthew Goniwe, Ford Calata, Sparrow Mkonto and Sicelo Mhlauli. His presence alone served two crucial purposes. Firstly, it deflected attention from the rest of us as the Security Police had puffed up chests having arrested him. But, secondly, his straight composed posture and iron clad no-nonsense look gave us the necessary strength as we each were hurled into our dusty cells of dreaded solitary confinement. The fear was so intense that clinging to any little strands of hope was necessary for survival. As one of the youngest, I drew much strength from senior activists during that dark period. The real lessons, well-articulated in the book, started when we were moved to ‘Sun City’ into a joint cell. Those memories will forever be etched in our memories much of which informed my values and principles to this day. Isu, the man, was inspiringly our leader by example.
The book. Isu’s life story is well crafted. It engages the reader to rapidly read his stirring story while savoring the many moments over the cause of his life’s journey. The 50s of his era resonates strongly with the 80s of our time. The special tributes appended to the book provide further evidence supporting his personal characteristics, authenticity and principles by so many others. The book, after more than 10 years of work, skillfully weaves a fantastic narrative of one of our struggle heroes.
Nevertheless, on a minor point, the story occasionally jarred when uncharacteristic words ‘ephemeral’ or quotes (Joshi) were inserted in an attempt to either ‘lift’ the narrative or present some ‘academic’ support. It seemed uncharacteristic of the Isu I knew but I must concede that the editors knew him far better. Furthermore, like other memoirs, it suffers from the familiar. Readers are expected to know odd characters and I found myself searching the web for more context. For many years, I had the idea to create a website chronicling ‘ordinary heroes’ through a popular community history project. Thousands of activists across the breadth of this country and beyond played some or other role that collectively brought about the new South Africa.
Little has been written about Abdulhay Jassat but Isu displayed much affection in depicting a part of his role – what a mensch. More needs to be written about him.
Isu apologises for two national defining moments. Firstly, for not publicly speaking out against Mbeki’s HIV/AIDS denialism, and, secondly, for not speaking out against Andrew Feinstein’s autocratic removal. Many of us are just as culpable for not speaking out or taking a public stand. I recall Zuma’s rape trial and the baying crowds ready to pounce on the few female demonstrators outside the court. I still regret not leaving the comfort of work and standing by them. Sadly, our public representatives like Isu and other activists, have to shoulder much more of this ‘guilt’. It is these and other ‘expedient’ moments when many in parliament did not speak out. They must accept the rot we face today – breakdown of public institutions, endemic corruption, poor service delivery, among others. It is committed and ethical ANC members who were quiet when courage was required. History will sadly not be kind to them.
The editors did not spend sufficient time researching and probing Isu’s role in the legislature. He was purported to have said that “the Island could not break me but Mbeki will”. Isu together with other MPs from both the ANC and other parties played a critical role in holding the executive to account and were finally bullied and brow beaten when they touched the raw nerve of the arms deal. This period was the defining moment in our history when the ANC removed independent thinking ANC MPs, replaced them with ‘loyal cadres’ and manipulated parliament to suit the party and not the people.
Isu also speaks about the decade long ‘disciplined structure’ that provided direction to UDF and its structures. Such groupings were necessary and played a critical role in the success of anti-apartheid activity in South Africa. It evaded the security machinery of the state. Nevertheless, it’s undemocratic nature and ‘Stalinist’ decisions were often cited by equally well-meaning activists. Perhaps, more will one day be written by those involved to better understand this chapter of the struggle.
A dedicated and committed revolutionary whose captivating story provides much insight into his life which will serve to inspire others into principled action to make this country a better place for all.
