Statement

Dear Elaheh Rostami Povey,

It is with heartfelt sorrow that we of the  African National Congress Veterans League extend our condolences to you and your family, comrades and friends, on the passing of an outstanding internationalist, John Rose.

As a young student, John was one of the celebrated band of London Recruits who assisted the South African liberation movement in the darkest period of our struggle against Apartheid. 

As a young student, John was one of the celebrated band of London recruits who assisted the South African liberation movement in the darkest period of our struggle against Apartheid. 

In 1969 and 1970, he carried out two extremely dangerous missions with other comrades, distributing the leaflets of the outlawed ANC in a daring operation celebrated in the book and documentary film The London Recruits. John showed great determination and resolve in carrying out these missions and, on one occasion, would have been caught but for this revolutionary audacity and courage he displayed.

Although comrade Rose and other remarkable internationalists like him have been extremely modest about their role, deeds like his contributed to the overthrow of the heinous apartheid system in our country. They were part of a glorious global solidarity movement that reinforced the struggle of our people. 

We raise our flag in salutation to comrade John Rose, who, as we are well aware, remained a principled revolutionary all his life, and among. Among other significant commitments, he loyally served the working class of Britain. He was outstanding in his support for the freedom of the Palestinian people, as he was for all people fighting imperialism and colonialism.

Our world is poorer for John Rose’s loss of John Rose, but richer for his outstanding contribution. His was a life well-lived land with an honoured place in the annals of South Africa’s liberation history.

Hamba Kahle comrade John Rose. 

Dr Snuki Zikalala
President of the ANC Veterans League