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John Daniel obituary John Daniel obituary
(6 months later)
My brother, John Daniel, who has died from cancer, aged 70, was an inspiring teacher, respected academic and lifelong campaigner for justice in South Africa.My brother, John Daniel, who has died from cancer, aged 70, was an inspiring teacher, respected academic and lifelong campaigner for justice in South Africa.
Born in Durban, son of James and Frances Daniel, both teachers, John first came to prominence in 1966 when he hosted Robert Kennedy's visit at the invitation of the National Union of Students of South Africa. Thousands of young people of all races drew inspiration from the presence of the senator, which sent a blast of fresh air through Hendrik Verwoerd's apartheid South Africa. With John in tow, Kennedy reached out to black South Africans by entering Soweto township, outside Johannesburg, something few white people did at the time.Born in Durban, son of James and Frances Daniel, both teachers, John first came to prominence in 1966 when he hosted Robert Kennedy's visit at the invitation of the National Union of Students of South Africa. Thousands of young people of all races drew inspiration from the presence of the senator, which sent a blast of fresh air through Hendrik Verwoerd's apartheid South Africa. With John in tow, Kennedy reached out to black South Africans by entering Soweto township, outside Johannesburg, something few white people did at the time.
Early in 1968, warned that the government was to subject him to a banning order, John used his newly acquired British passport to study in the US. He completed a PhD in political science at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he was introduced to a young South African teacher of English, JM Coetzee, who reshaped his attitude to the study of politics. John's exile lasted 23 years.Early in 1968, warned that the government was to subject him to a banning order, John used his newly acquired British passport to study in the US. He completed a PhD in political science at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he was introduced to a young South African teacher of English, JM Coetzee, who reshaped his attitude to the study of politics. John's exile lasted 23 years.
Early in the 1970s, anxious to re-enter the political fray, John took a one-year teaching post at Waterford school in Swaziland, which was a pioneer of multiracial education. In 1974 John accepted a lectureship in politics at the new University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, forging strong links with the underground ANC and mentoring a long line of exiles. His activism upset the South African government, which put pressure on the Swaziland administration and John was forced to leave the country.Early in the 1970s, anxious to re-enter the political fray, John took a one-year teaching post at Waterford school in Swaziland, which was a pioneer of multiracial education. In 1974 John accepted a lectureship in politics at the new University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, forging strong links with the underground ANC and mentoring a long line of exiles. His activism upset the South African government, which put pressure on the Swaziland administration and John was forced to leave the country.
He headed for London where his talents as an academic were put to use as Africa editor of the radical Zed Press.He headed for London where his talents as an academic were put to use as Africa editor of the radical Zed Press.
Finally, in 1991, he was able to return to South Africa. The post-apartheid years were the most rewarding of his political life. He held the chair in politics at the University of Durban-Westville (now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal)and was seconded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, under Desmond Tutu, where his passion for shining a light on inconvenient truths was given full rein: "I want to find the bastards who killed my friends in Swaziland," he told me. John wrote important sections of the TRC's final report. Finally, in 1991, he was able to return to South Africa. The post-apartheid years were the most rewarding of his political life. He held the chair in politics at the University of Durban-Westville (now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal)and was seconded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, under Desmond Tutu, where his passion for shining a light on inconvenient truths was given full rein: "I want to find the bastards who killed my friends in Swaziland," he told me. John wrote important sections of the TRC's final report.
After retiring John became academic director of the South African wing of the School for International Training, a study programme for American students, a job he carried out with great zest, inspiring successive groups of second-year students with his enthusiasm and knowledge. Modest and compassionate, John changed the lives of many people.After retiring John became academic director of the South African wing of the School for International Training, a study programme for American students, a job he carried out with great zest, inspiring successive groups of second-year students with his enthusiasm and knowledge. Modest and compassionate, John changed the lives of many people.
John is survived by his second wife, Catherine, and their son, Jay, and daughter, Lesley; his son, Jeremy, from his first marriage to Judith, which ended in divorce; two grandchildren; and his two brothers, Anthony and me, and sister, Monica.John is survived by his second wife, Catherine, and their son, Jay, and daughter, Lesley; his son, Jeremy, from his first marriage to Judith, which ended in divorce; two grandchildren; and his two brothers, Anthony and me, and sister, Monica.