Mac Maharaj

Sathyandranath Ragunanan Maharaj, better known to the world as Mac, was born in April 1935 in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. 

One of eight children, he studied at the University of Natal in Durban. 

As a student, he became involved in anti-apartheid activities including campaigning against the segregation of students and supporting the boycott of separate graduation ceremonies. 

Maharaj furthered his studies in London, but after the Sharpeville massacre in 1960 and requests to come back, he returned to South Africa in 1962 and started focusing more on his political work. 

In 1964 he was part of a group arrested and ultimately convicted of sabotage - Maharaj was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment on Robben Island. 

It was there that he helped to transcribe and smuggle out former President Nelson Mandela's memoir Long Walk to Freedom. 

After his release, he played a key role in the negotiating process that led to the 1994 elections. 

He served as Transport Minister until 1999. Maharaj later left politics to join the business world, but returned to public service in 2011 when he was appointed as the presidential spokesman for Jacob Zuma. 

He retired from this post at the end of April 2015 at the age of 80.

 

 

Maharaj tells us about his childhood.

 

Maharaj explains how he experienced apartheid.

 

Maharaj says the Sharpeville massacre was a turning point in the struggle, as it showed peaceful protest wasn't working.

 

Maharaj talks about his arrest at the age of 29, and how he at that time accepted he would not survive the struggle. He says the fact he is still here today is a bonus. Maharaj says only in reflection do you realise the true cost for liberation, and he believes their families and loved ones paid the true price. 

 

Maharaj explains that Nelson Mandela stood out and was different, even in prison, because of the way he handled matters. 

 

Maharaj explain that the 1994 elections was the happiest moment of his life. 

 

Maharaj explains for all the praise showered on those of them that survived, what makes him most sad is the price that others have had to pay. He says it is something that can never be recovered.

 

Maharaj says he has not achieved everything he wanted, he would have wanted South Africa to be far better than it is today, but you have to look at what you can change to make tomorrow better. 

 

Maharaj says he, until today, does not see what he did in the struggle as important. He says he was privileged to be part of the collective, and they became what they are because of the struggle.

 

Maharaj explains that freedom is not the end, and at no point will he say that the job is done. He says all he can ask himself is if he has done the best he could.

 

Maharaj gives his message to the next generation. He says the younger generation should be an example for the rest of the world.

 

Maharaj, who ended his term as presidential spokesman a few days after this interview, says retiring is the wrong word - he is slowing down. He says he will have to learn to keep his mind busy, find new interests, and he hopes he knows what to do with all the free time.

 

(File photo: Gallo Images)

- Written by Maryke Vermaak

- Video by Suné du Toit