Dulcie September
Dulcie Evonne September (August 20th, 1935 - March 29, 1988) was a South African anti-apartheid political activist born in Gleemore (Athlone), Western Cape, South Africa. She died after being assassinated in Paris, France.
[edit] Biography
Dulcie September, the second eldest daughter of Jakobus and Susan September, grew up in Gleemore, a section of Athlone (a suburb in Cape Town). It was here that she developed her social conscience and political commitment to the struggle for national liberation, democracy and social justice. September began her primary schooling at Klipfontein Methodist Mission, and later attended Athlone High School. In 1954, she enrolled at the Wesley Training School*(see note) in Salt River to pursue a career in teaching, and completed her Teacher’s Diploma in 1955. She began her teaching career, first at City Mission School in Maitland, then at Bridgetown East Primary School in Athlone in 1956, and in 1957 became a member of the newly established Cape Peninsula Students’ Union (CPSU), affiliate of the Unity Movement of South Africa, which aimed at overcoming racial divisions and forging solidarity among students of different cultural backgrounds. She also belonged to the Athlone branch of the Teacher’s League of South Africa (TLSA).[1]
September subsequently joined the African Peoples Democratic Union of Southern Africa (APDUSA), established in 1960. She went on to be a member of the militant study group Yu Chi Chan Club, which was disbanded at the end of 1962, to be replaced by the National Liberation Front (NLF) in January 1963. While engaged in NLF activities, she was arrested and detained without trial at Roeland Street Prison on 7 October 1963. Together with nine others she was charged under the Criminal Procedure Act, the principal charge being "conspiracy to commit acts of sabotage, and incite acts of politically motivated violence". After months of court proceedings, judgment was delivered on 15 April 1964. September was sentenced to five years imprisonment, during which time she endured severe physical and psychological abuse. On her release in April 1969, the Pretoria regime controlled her activities with a five-year banning order, which prohibited her from engaging in political activity and from practising her profession. September then went to live with her sister in Paarl.
In 1973, as her banning order drew to a close, September applied for a permanent departure permit, having secured a position at Madeley College of Education in London, England. She left South Africa on 19 December 1973.
In London September joined the activities of the Anti-Apartheid Aovement and was in the frontline of numerous political rallies and demonstrations at South Africa House in Trafalgar Square. Later she gave up her job as a teacher and joined the staff of the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa.
In 1976 she joined the African National Congress (ANC) where she worked in the ANC Women’s League. In 1979, International Year of the Child (IYC), September was elected as chairperson of the IYC Committee of the ANC Women’s Section in London.
At the end of 1983, September was appointed ANC Chief Representative in France, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
On the morning of 29 March 1988, September was assassinated outside the ANC's Paris office at 28, Rue des Petites-Ecuries, as she was opening the office after collecting the mail. She was shot five times from behind with a 22-calibre silenced rifle. It was purportedly the work of professionals.[2]
Before her assassination, September had been investigating trafficking of weapons between France and South Africa.[citation needed] Supposedly, this trafficking included nuclear materials.[citation needed]
On the day after her murder, Alfred Nzo commented: "If ever there was a soft target, Dulcie September was one."[citation needed]
Jean Michel Jarre composed a song for his 1988 Revolutions album named "September", dedicated to Dulcie. The song was performed at his Destination Docklands concert at London's Royal Victoria Dock in October 1988.
A square in the 10th arrondissement of Paris is named after Dulcie September, and was officially inaugurated on 31 March 1998, ten years after her death.
[edit] References
- ^ South African History Online.
- ^ www.withmaliceandforethought.com/pdf/dulcie_september.pdf The Case Of “Dulcie September” - The Truth Commission File.
