The Gandhi Development Trust and Phoenix Settlement Trust, in partnership with the Denis Hurley Centre and the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted the Annual Paddy Kearney Memorial Lecture at the Denis Hurley Centre, Durban on Sunday, 27 August 2023.

The lecture, which attended by Kearney’s family, friends and former colleagues, was held in commemoration of his 81st Birthday Anniversary, which was on Monday, 28 August 2023. Amongst distinguished guests present at the lecture were Dr Ela Gandhi, Chairperson of the Gandhi Development Trust and DUT’s International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON) Director: Professor Alain Tschudin.

The late Paddy Kearney was a renowned anti-apartheid and human rights activist, and a peace icon. He was a devoted disciple of the late Archbishop Denis Hurley, who was a prominent figure in the Roman Catholic Church in South Africa and an outspoken critic of apartheid. The Denis Hurley Centre was Paddy Kearney’s final major project before his passing five years ago.

Facilitating the lecture was DUT’s Dr Mal Reddy, who began by warmly welcoming the guests. She referred to Paddy Kearney as a beacon of inspiration, who dedicated his life to courses of greater learning.

“His principles and values are not just ideal to admire, they are guiding lights that can shape our own actions, to strive for a better future. Our gathering is testimony to the impact Paddy had on all of us. His dedication to his work, his unwavering commitment to justice, his boundless compassion for others have left an enduring legacy. Through his actions, he taught us that one person’s determination can spark change that goes far beyond his time,” said Dr Reddy.

Delivering the welcoming remarks was DUT ICON Director, Prof Alain Tschudin who mentioned that it was an honour and a great privilege for him to be part of this prestigious ceremony. His remarks were a recall of a dear friend. Prof Tschudin described Kearney as a modest leader who did not want his role of advancing social justice and peace to be singled out.

“Paddy’s living legacy continues strongly through the work of the Denis Hurley Centre. Paddy had a profound interfaith orientation that advanced the values based on an inclusive society for all. He served as chairman of both ICON and the Gandhi Development Trust. He was extensively involved in various organisations and initiatives. Paddy was precisely the leader who strove to safeguard, to heal and proclaimed justice and peace,” said Prof Tschudin.

The former chair of DUT Council and Trustee of Denis Hurley Centre, Prof Jairam Reddy introduced the guest speaker, Director of the Denis Hurley Centre, Raymond Perrier, who was appointed as the Director of the Denis Hurley Centre in 2015.

Perrier’s address was drawn from his recently accepted PhD thesis titled: “Paddy and the Gandhi Heritage” to explore the roots of Paddy’s activism. His focus was particularly on the way in which Paddy Kearney was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.

Perrier mentioned that each year, the Centre commemorates Kearney’s birthday with a memorial lecture. He reiterated that modesty was a characteristic of Kearney and that he would not have liked him to write a thesis on his work, a street named after him, the lecture or people coming together to praise him. He recalled asking for Kearney’s permission to write his story whom replied that he cannot do so as long as he was still alive. Perrier thanked Kearney for the quality of his personal archive. He shared his thesis writing journey and the knowledge he obtained from all people he interviewed on Kearney’s remarkable work.

In closing, Dr Ela Gandhi, Chairperson of the Gandhi Development Trust thanked the Centre and all parties involved in the planning of the annual memorial lecture. She thanked Perrier for the thought-provoking tribute to Kearney and said she was looking forward to next year’s lecture where more light will be shined on Kearney’s work.

Keeping the guests entertained was Ms Dianna Daniels who shared a musical interlude. Books about Paddy and Hurley were also sold on the day.

Pictured: Dr Mal Reddy, Professor Alain Tschudin, Dr Ela Gandhi, Raymond Perrier and Professor Jairam Reddy.

Photographer: Morgen Kisten.

Simangele Zuma