GR NAIDOO – A GENEROUS EYE

Top media academics to open exhibition of former Drum magazine journalist GR Naidoo

Just opened at the Luthuli Museum is a special exhibition honouring the life of a former Drum magazine journalist GR Naidoo. The exhibition is entitled GR Naidoo – A Generous Eye and comes to the Luthuli Museum courtesy of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

GR Naidoo was born in Durban in 1928. He joined Drum magazine in 1954 where he worked as a photo-journalist and later covered the Treason Trial. He hosted former president Nelson Mandela at a dinner party in 1962 and is described as someone who lived “non-racialism”.

Naidoo first met Chief Luthuli in 1952 when he was addressing a mass rally at “Red Square”, - now known as Nicol Street Square in Durban’s Central Business District. It was an important meeting place and platform for political rallies. He kept close ties with Chief Luthuli and aided in facilitating meetings with other journalists who wanted to speak with and meet Chief Luthuli. His last interview with Chief Luthuli was in 1964 just before the final banning which prohibited Luthuli from visiting Stanger.

Through his reporting, Naidoo came to empathise with the frustration and anger felt by the many people whose movements were restricted by the government. He was later detained and identified strongly with the struggle to which Chief Luthuli had committed himself.

The Luthuli Museum is situated at 3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street in Groutville. More information on 032 559 6822/4, fax 031 559 6806 or email luthulimuseum@luthulimuseum.org.za or visit www.luthulimuseum.org.za