Here are some facts about the longtime social justice activist and former Secretary General of Amnesty International.
John Perlman spoke with human rights activist Kumi Naidoo.
Anti-apartheid activist and author, Kumi Naidoo has dedicated her life to fighting for justice since the age of 15.
At 21, he was accused of breaking the state of emergency rules introduced by the apartheid government and had to flee to the UK.
Here are some facts about the longtime social justice activist and former Secretary General of Amnesty International.
First, Chatsworth-born Naidoo can’t resist a plate of butter beans and potato curry. He shared memories of mealtimes growing up – which often included his late mother.
He released his book titled Letters to my mother in an effort to come to terms with the trauma of losing his mother at just 15 by suicide.
What got me serious about it, nearly four decades after my mother’s death, was the sudden death of my sister from a brain tumor.
Kumi Naidoo, human rights activist
His favorite song is Sondela by Venom, Shishuliza, Yumbs, Raspy, Blxckie, Tshego and his late stepson Riky Rick,
It was the last collaboration Rikhado ‘Riky Rick’ Makhado worked on before dying by suicide in March 2022.
Since it was his last song, I listened to it several times weeks after his passing…
Kumi Naidoo, human rights activist
Naidoo said he listened to the track because he was planning to release a rendition of it – as part of his environmental activism with Ricky’s younger brother.
His most valuable reading is Yakhal’inkomo by Mongane Wally Serote.
He encountered the book in 1983 at university – a rare find for the time given government restrictions – which he says moved him immensely as a student.
It moved me tremendously in terms of understanding the pain of oppression…
Kumi Naidoo, human rights activist
Listen to the full audio above.
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