Arnold Selby
ANC Mourns Liberation Veteran Arnold Selby
By Freelance Journalist Eric Singh
Berlin. 27 September 2002.
"Comrade Arnold Selby has fallen – but in victory, not in vain. In his honour, we will not rest until we have achieved the democratic ideals for which he dedicated his life", said South African Ambassador to Germany, Prof. S. M. E. Bengu. The Ambassador was addressing the memorial service for the late South African freedom-fighter which was held in Berlin today and attended by more than 200 people which included fellow South Africans, journalistic colleagues and sportsmen/women from as far away as Sweden. Arnold Selby died on 27 August 2002 in the German City of Leipzig. He was ill for some time and died two months before his 84th birthday.
The Ambassador went on to say: "Arnold Selby was not only a great son of Africa, but also a great citizen of our global village. He demonstrated this throughout his life by committing all his energies to the liberation of the people South Africa and the African continent as a whole".
Paying tribute to her late colleague, Frau Hannelore Stier, a former colleague at Radio Berlin International and now head of Antenne Brandenburg (Radio Brandenburg) outlined the dedication and diligence of Arnold Selby who never detracted from his firm belief in the justness of his cause and its final victory.
Dr Rüdiger Claus, Director of the International Institute of Journalism Berlin, spoke of the short period that the late Arnold Selby spent at the IIFB in 1971 but a relationship that lived right up to the time of his death and the inspiration he was to the many young journalists from Africa, Asia, Middle East and Latin America over the past thirty years.
"In Sweden, Arnold was, and still is known as MR PEACE RACE. In 1991 he set up a feat which was a tremendous contribution to enhance the already steadfast solidarity between the Swedish people and the ANC and indirectly influenced the Swedish Government", said Mr Bertil Kilner from the Swedish Sport Association.
He explained: "In an attempt to popularise the ANC and the Peace Race, Arnold, almost 70 , ran in 20 half-marathons in less than 30 days throughout Sweden. He was joined by thousands of local runners in this great performance. Finally, together with 25 members of our Club (Proletarian FF) and with an ANC Flag in his hand he ram through the City of Göteborg during the rush hour".
Messages of sympathy and condolences have been pouring in to Selby’s widow Jeanette ever since the death of Arnold Selby was announced on 27 August 2002. Hereunder are extracts from some of them.
In his tribute Mr Sam Ramsamy, President of the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (NOCSA) and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), pointed out that despite suffering from poor eye-sight, Arnold Selby was an ardent enemy of the apartheid regime who not only fought them politically, but also carried the struggle on to the sporting and cultural arenas. He described Arnold Selby as one of the unsung heroes of the liberation struggle.
In his message of condolence to Mrs Jeanette Selby, the Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe (himself a great trade union leader) stated:
"Cde Arnold’s life long contribution to the struggle for liberation and transformation forms part of the rich history of the liberation movement. From his youth when he joined the CPSA (Communist Party of South Africa – banned in 1950 – ES), and later the Congress of Democrats (COD – made of white South Africans opposed to apartheid and affiliate of the Congress Alliance led by the ANC. The COD was banned in 1962 – ES) and ANC, through banning and nearly thirty years of exile, every moment of Comrade Arnold’s life was dedicated to achieving the goal of democracy in South Africa and a more just world order.
Please take comfort and strength in the knowledge that your grief is shared by many comrades whose lives he touched through his tireless hard work and selfless commitment".
Mr Mendi Msimang, Treasurer-General of the ANC and former Ambassador of South Africa in Great Britain was more precise when he told your scribe on the phone: "Arnie had a great and long innings in which he contributed tremendously to the score".
The list is long but at the time of going to press (20 September) two very close friends of Arnold Selby phoned in their messages – Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and Mr Anthony Mongalo South Ambassador in Italy.
