MONTY G. M. NAICKER

We offer you our earnest desire to serve the community. We have no ambition for power. We decided to fight because we felt that your voice was not being heard. We repudiate the charge that we want to pit poor against the rich. We hold no ill-will against anybody. . . We must mobilise all our strength to seek a better life. . . We are, after all, sons of South Africa; and all we want is to live as free citizens in a free world. . . There comes a time in the life of the people when the opinion of the common people jumps ahead of those few who are in control and the man-in-the-street becomes wiser than the politician. . . we will not dilly-dally with our demands. We will be bold, sensible and decisive. we will never compromise on our principles and we make it clear to the authorities that we will not go down on bended knees for crumbs. we want to live as men.

- Monty G. M. Naicker, "Speech on Election as President of the Natal Indian Congress", The Leader, 27 October, 1945.