Vera Ponnen
Extracts from statement by the ANC office in Canada, March 11, 1979(1)
Vera came to South Africa in 1938, getting a job as a governess to some children who were bound for South Africa. The next year she went to Johannesburg and while there she met members of the Communist Party and later joined the Party and carried out its activities.
Vera worked for the Housewives League, the South African Federation of Democratic Women and was one of the founders of the Non-European Soldiers` Dependents League during the Second World War. She was an Executive Member of the Congress of Democrats.
Vera was involved in many strikes of black workers fighting for better wages and conditions and against unjust laws. She was secretary of the Brewery and Mineral Workers Union composed of African, Indian and Coloured workers.
She was the first woman to be banned in the Province of Natal under the Suppression of Communism Act. Vera was banned for five years and placed under house arrest for another five.
George Ponnen, her husband, was the first man to be banned for five years in Natal in 1950. He was thus removed from his position as Secretary/Organiser of a number of trade unions. His means of livelihood was completely cut off. He started dressmaking and Vera helped him in this to make a living and continued to carry out political work underground.
In 1967 Vera followed her husband to Zambia, leaving South Africa on an exit permit. During nearly 10 years in Zambia, Vera continued her work for the ANC.
Vera has been ill for a long time. She was hospitalised in Edmonton, Canada, and breathed her last on the 1st of March, 1979, at the age of 64.
Comrade Vera was a kind and courageous person, a great internationalist. She was a brave fighter for freedom and a great mother.
