Those involved in peace and in anti-conscription movements during apartheid, are mourning the loss of peace activist Nan Cross, who died last weekend aged 79.
Her religion and her pacifist sentiments meant that her contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle centred on conscientious objection. She was a founding and active member of the Conscientious Objector Support Group and active in the End Conscription Campaign. She also played a critical role in the Conscription Advice Service.
As the apartheid state clung to power it became more militarised, increasing the period of military service white males were expected to contribute. Many objected, on religious and political grounds, to doing the dirty work of the South African Defence Force. Many young, white men went into exile, while others took the route of conscientious objection. The government of the day demonised these young men as well as those who supported them. Nan was no exception.
As the 1980s drew to a close, the anti-conscription movement grew stronger, with more and more white men refusing conscription. This was undoubtedly one of the contributing factors to the growing realisation of the Nationalists that they were losing their hold.
In the early 1990s, with the end of apartheid in sight, the End Conscription Campaign disbanded. But recognising that South Africa’s long history of oppression and militarisation would not disappear overnight, Nan joined others in establishing the Ceasefire Campaign, an anti-war organisation committed to disarmament and the reduction and eventual elimination of the arms trade.
In its infancy, she was the cornerstone of the Ceasefire Campaign, working hard as a volunteer in the office. These were not easy years, particularly as many South Africans could not appreciate why such an organisation was still needed. But she spurred us on in her indomitable way. She edited Ceasefire’s newsletter, Anti-War News, with dedication and precision.
Although she had officially retired from Ceasefire, she continued to attend seminars regularly and kept abreast of anti-war and peace activities.
We continued to visit her to ask her advice or merely to enjoy the pleasure of her company. She had a remarkable memory and knowledge of the most extraordinary things. I will miss these visits and her sharp critical mind and sage advice. — Laura Pollecutt
Nan Cross: born 1928; died 2007