In Her Honour

It’s a trend I didn’t give much thought to until Women’s Day. The unveiling of a memorial bust of an iconic woman, Dr Kesavaloo Goonam, stirred this question in my heart – What would I say to my younger self?

I had the blessed opportunity of a fleeting meeting with Dr Goonam in December 1995 at my awards day at Briardale Primary School. I have written about this previously, and last week, I finally located the picture in my archives, triggering nostalgia. I knew there was nowhere else I was meant to be on Women’s Day.

The moving event at the Shri Mariammen Temple was a perfectly-balanced history lesson that matched Dr Goonam’s personality – confident, unapologetic and authentic. Speakers, including her daughter, Dr Vanitha Chetty, shared personal memories and beautiful anecdotes that spurred laughter, amazement and applause from the audience. This honour was truly long overdue, and the organising committee must be commended for their sterling efforts.

What was so special about Dr Goonam, you may ask? I will briefly attempt to paint a picture of one of the greatest heroines of our times. Dr Goonam was determined to become a medical doctor, even though at that time no medical school in South Africa would open its doors to the Indian-origin community, and certainly not a woman. Not one to be easily swayed or settle for anything less, she convinced her father to allow her to study at Edinburgh University, a journey that she embarked on in 1928.

Upon returning home in 1936, she did more than just set up practice as a doctor, she set into a life of activism. She was imprisoned at least 17 times for her political work, and when she became vice president of the Natal Indian Congress, she was continuously harassed. She went into exile in England and also worked in countries such as India, Australia and Zimbabwe. She came back to South Africa in 1990 when the wheels of democracy began turning.

I was in awe when I read Dr Goonam’s autobiography titled “Coolie Doctor”. Of course, she earned this name under the derogatory apartheid system, but she would not shy away from owning it and using it to tell her story. That’s how progressive she was.

When I think of my younger self, I think of the girl in this picture with Dr Goonam – a girl who was already immersed in books about spirituality and history, a girl with a deep understanding of South African politics and a girl who had decided on a career in journalism. This girl was shaped by passionate teachers who encouraged her to dream, a supportive family who did not prescribe her life choices and a strong, multi-racial community that embraced a democratic South Africa.

That’s all my younger self needed. And so I would say to her, “Keep dreaming, and keep doing what you know in your heart is meant for you.”

It’s a message that I hope resonates with young girls of today, who will become the women of tomorrow. Be strong in character and even stronger in your voice. The world needs you, just like the world needed the fiesty, free-spirited Dr Goonam from South Africa.