African National Congress (ANC) struggle veteran Moosa “Mosie” Moolla has been described as a gallant fighter for freedom.
The 88-year-old died on Friday after battling a long illness.
Struggle
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to Moola’s family, friends and comrades.
“From a very young age, Mosie’s struggle was a selfless commitment to the liberation of the oppressed and a creation of a free, democratic society, founded on the principle of equality and human rights for all.
“The pain and suffering he endured during years of detention, treason trial and exile, away from his family has not been in vain. As we conclude marking Human Rights Month, we do so in honor to the contribution of many who perished in the quest for our freedom and to the sacrifices made by activists such as Mosi,” Ramaphosa said.
Luminaries
Born in 1934, Moolla was among a group of struggle luminaries which included Nelson Mandela, Helen Joseph, Ahmed Kathrada and Walter Sisulu, who were acquitted in March 1961 after five grueling years of the 1956 Treason Trial.
After the promulgation of the 90 day detention law, Moolla was held in solitary confinement at the Marshal Square Police Station.
He would later escape and leave the country to join the exile leadership of the ANC in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1963. He became a member of Umkhonto Wesizwe and received military training in the USSR. During his exile years Moolla represented the ANC in India, Egypt and the World Peace Council in Helsinki, Finland.
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ANC
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said Moolla was requested to resign from his place of employment and rather serve the National Action Council of the Congress of the People (COP) on a full-time basis as part of its Secretariat.
Bhengu-Motsiri described Moolla as a revolutionary diplomat and gallant fighter for freedom.
“In this role Comrade Moolla was responsible for ensuring that decisions were effectively conveyed to all provincial and regional structures. He continued in this role of the COP campaign until adoption of the Freedom Charter in Kliptown on 25 and 26 June 1955.”
Ambassador
Moolla was appointed by President Nelson Mandela to serve as South Africa’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1995 to 1999. From June 2000 until 2004 he served as High Commissioner to Pakistan.
Moolla is survived by his children Tasneem, Azaad and Afzal.
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