It is reported that Indian anti-apartheid activist Shanthivathie “Shanthie” Naidoo Tweedie died on 23 July 2026, aged ninety-one.
On Facebook, it is noted that on 13 June 1969, Security Branch police entered Shanthie Naidoo’s family home in Rockey Street, Doornfontein, and detained her under the Terrorism Act.
Her father was dead, her sister Ramnie was in exile, and her brother Indres was serving ten years on Robben Island for sabotage as an Umkhonto we Sizwe operative.
In detention, she was held alone, interrogated for five days and nights, deprived of sleep and threatened with the arrest of her family.
Apartheid wanted her to testify against Winnie Mandela, Joyce Sikhakhane and twenty activists accused of furthering the banned ANC, but she refused.
Justice Bekker sentenced her to two months and threatened another year if she remained silent.
When the prosecution failed, the Security Branch detained her again.
Shanthie spent 371 days in custody, most in solitary confinement — punishment for organising boycotts, distributing leaflets and working underground for the ANC, fighting for South Africa’s freedom.
May her soul rest in peace.
