Teeruth Misthry, popularly known as Tees, was born on 16 June 1955, in Tongaat. His 21st
birthday on 16 June 1976 marked a turning point in our country’s history and he
was destined to play an important role in that history.
Cde Tees excellently served the Tongaat Civic Association (General Secretary:
1978-1982), Tongaat Child Welfare and sport organizations. He successfully led
a community campaign to the Transport Authority (South African Railways) for
the building of the Flamingo Heights Railway Station and Belvedere Drive
Flyover Bridge,
in Tongaat. This led to Cde Tees’ long and rich history of active political
involvement in the progressive mass democratic movement. He cut his political
teeth in the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and was integrally involved in the
many political campaigns that followed.
Tees (aka ASHWIN) regarded the ANC as the
premier liberation organization and served the ANC underground and its
structures (MK) from the 1970's until his return from exile in 1991. In order
to defeat the apartheid regime he underwent military training in Cuba, Angola,
Zambia, Mozambique and Swaziland. During this period
he played a pivotal role in the launch of the United Democratic Front
(UDF) which spearheaded the anti-tricameral elections of 1984.
Cde Tees formed part of the Underground structures which were responsible
for the clandestine release of the ANC’s January 8th Annual Statement,
amongst other publications of the ANC and SACP, to the various
organizations and communities in South Africa.
As an MK soldier he courageously fought the apartheid security forces making
supreme sacrifices. He was a disciplined cadre who evaded captivity by the
apartheid agents. He regularly infiltrated the country to carry out military
operations, the most publicised being Operation Vulindlela (Operation Vula). He
worked together with Ivan Pillay from the ANC Headquarters in Operation Vula.
The apartheid government withheld amnesty to those who commanded Operation
Vula. Without being granted amnesty, Tees Misthry defied the apartheid
government and returned home to a hero's welcome on 7 June 1991. On 22 June
1991, former President Nelson Mandela intervened, and finally acquired amnesty
for all Operation Vula operatives.
Tees took his inspiration and motivation from
the heroic youth who challenged the apartheid regime on 16 June 1976. This led
to a dire need to organize youth. He founded the Tongaat Youth Club in 1977
which played an important role to bridge the gap between African and
Indian youth Tongaat Youth Club provided training and leadership for the youth.
Many of our community and business leaders cut their teeth in this
organization.
