“Mr ES Reddy will stand out in the annals of history as one who dedicated most of his adult life to supporting action against the oppressive system of apartheid; working tirelessly in support of the liberation movement; forging an unshakeable bond between SA and his homeland, India; and meticulously recording aspects of the struggle history of SA.”
These were the words from the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation on July 1 2020 when Enuga Sreenivasulu Reddy, affectionately known as ES Reddy, celebrated his 96th birthday.
The driving force behind the UN campaign against apartheid died on Sunday in the US.
Reddy had been active in the support of the SA freedom movement for more than half a century and played a central role in promoting international sanctions against SA.
He had been the secretary of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid and then the director of the UN Centre Against Apartheid until his retirement.
Reddy was born on July 1 1924 to a politically active family in Andhra Pradesh, India.
According to www.sahistory.org.za, Reddy’s interest in SA was sparked by pamphlets that his cousin gave to him in late 1943.
“One of the pamphlets was written by Dr Yusuf M Dadoo about Indians, another by Peter Abrahams about mineworkers going to Johannesburg. At the same time, Indian newspapers reported about the movement by Africans and Indians against racial discrimination.”
In a 2004 interview with Lisa Brock, Reddy explained his interest in SA: “I was already interested in the anti-apartheid movement in the 1940s, when the struggle in SA took on new forms and Indians and Africans were cooperating in the struggle. During the Second World War, the US and Britain talked about four freedoms in the Atlantic Charter, but those freedoms didn’t apply to India or SA. As Indians we were very much interested in SA, because a lot of Indians were there and they were treated as second-class citizens or worse. And of course Nehru was talking about SA, Gandhi was talking about SA and so on.”
He arrived in the US on March 1946 and started an internship at the UN two years later.
“He went to work full time for the UN in New York for 35 years until his retirement. From 1963 to 1984 he was the UN official in charge of action against apartheid, first as principal secretary of the Special Committee Against Apartheid and then as director of the Centre against Apartheid. He was assistant secretary-general of the UN from 1983 to 1985.”
“It is in this role that Reddy distinguished himself as an implacable foe of the apartheid system, working tirelessly to mobilise support of member states and strongly lobbying for comprehensive sanctions against apartheid.
“He spared no effort in seeking recognition for SA liberation movements and earned enduring friendships with key figures such as Oliver Tambo, president of the ANC and Dr Yusuf Dadoo, chairman of the SA Communist Party and vice-chairman of the ANC-led Revolutionary Alliance,” the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said.
The foundation said that upon his retirement in 1985, Reddy spent many years meticulously researching and writing the history of the SA liberation movement and its leaders, UN action against apartheid, anti-apartheid movements and campaigns, and relations between India and SA.
“He has been recognised for his contribution by many organisations and countries around the world including the World Peace Council; award of the Padma Shree, one the highest civilian awards by the government of India; and the prestigious Companion of OR Tambo, national award from SA government in 2013.”
- @KathradaFound Hamba Kahle ES Reddy. Your indomitable fight against apartheid in the global arena will never be forgotten. The same will go for your untiring efforts at recording and archiving our history.
— Neeshan Balton (@NeeshanB) November 2, 2020
Reddy’s death was announced on Sunday.
“ES Reddy, beloved husband of Nilufer Mizanoglu Reddy, father of Mina Reddy and Leyla Tegmo-Reddy, grandfather of Emilio and Manuel Flores, Chris and Nils Tegmo, great-grandfather of Rohan Flores, Kai and Charlie Tegmo, passed away today, November 1. We are so proud of him and his pioneering work in the UN and beyond to reverse the ravages of racism and injustices. We will miss his incredible love, drive and passion for justice and affection.”
Selvan Naidoo of the 1860 Heritage Centre said Reddy’s passing was a sad moment for all South Africans.
“ES Reddy’s contribution in the international fight against apartheid will be forever remembered for the freedoms our children cherish today. As the principal secretary, UN Special Committee against Apartheid, the director, UN Centre against Apartheid, 1976-1984 and assistant secretary-general, UN, 1983-1985, ES Reddy’s indefatigable spirit in advocating and championing the fight against apartheid oppression must serve as a constant reminder for all that is just and right about SA. His sacrifice for a free and democratic SA must not go in vain,” he said.
He said the 1860 Heritage Centre was privileged to honour Reddy just before his 96th birthday by holding a virtual tribute held on June 20.
“It will forever act as a record of gratitude in the documentation of our country’s history some 26 years into our history. It is hoped that more and more South Africans are able to learn of the role of people like ES Reddy for us to build on the enormous potential of SA, Long Live the spirit of ES Reddy, long live,” Naidoo said.
