Days of Commitment Long Walk Original Manuscript (Image #85)

The campaign did not lead to the reversal of government policy towards Indians, and another equally harsh law was soon to cripple them. But the Indian people had at least registered protest against the tyranny of colour oppression in the most effective manner within their means. The campaign instilled a spirit of defiance, broke the fear of prison and boosted the NIC and TIC considerably. By launching passive resistance they reminded the people of South Africa that the freedom struggle is not merely a question of making speeches, passing resolutions and sending deputations but, more important, of intensive organisation, militant mass action and readiness to pay the highest price. But the 1946 campaign did not open a new chapter. The freedom struggle in South Africa has a long and colourful history of stubborn resistance to attacks on human rights and, in some cases, great victories were scored. It has been said by some certain aspects of the 1913 passive resistance campaign in which Mohandas Gandhi (later Mahatma) and a large procession of Indians illegally crossed from Natal to the Transvaal, had a greater impact than that of the 40s. During the same year and again in 1918 African women in the Orange Free STate organised a resitance campaign and defeated moves by the authorities to force them to carry passes. In the process, many women were imprisoned or fined. In 1939 the Coloured people staged a demonstration against the attempts of the Nationalist Party and Smuts government to secure their total segregation. Although the demonstration was violently dispersed by the police, it showed once again that the Coloured people were in the field of battle ready to take the most ferocious blows the enemy could deliver.