Laloo Isu Chiba was a giant in our liberation struggle and we will miss him dearly. His commitment to our freedom was exceptional. He was a member of the High Command of uMkhonto we Sizwe and no task was too small for him. For 18 years he was in prisoned in Robben Island’s B Section with Madiba and Ahmed Kathrada, his closest friend, colleague and mentor.
Laloo had a special talent of almost microscopic handwriting and was responsible for transcribing Madiba’s manuscript ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, reducing ten pages of foolscap to a single sheet of paper, which was then smuggled out of the Island by Mac Maharaj. Without his special skill, the book may never have been published.
We salute Comrade Laloo Chiba for his resolute commitment to our achievement of democracy. His humility, integrity and honesty throughout his life is an inspiration to us all.
My family and I are privileged to have had him as a friend and mentor, who inspired all. We send our sympathies, our love and prayers to wife, Luxmi and his children and the Chiba family, and thank them for supporting him.
Anant Singh
Durban
8 December 2017
