In early December 1983, African National Congress (ANC) exiled Eddie Funde arrived in Australia with only a few dollars in his pocket and a life-long commitment to his party. The ANC was then still viewed by many Australians as a terrorist organisation.
Over the next eight years, as the ANC's chief representative in the region, he set about winning the hearts and minds of Australians and New Zealanders in support of the anti-apartheid struggle. Drawing on and building upon the solidarity he encountered in the region, he forged a coherent movement across both Australia and New Zealand, a movement which succeeded in swaying mainstream political opinion in favour of the ANC and its triumph over apartheid.
This book tells the story of the ANC in Australia and New Zealand, and is also a personal journey — from Eddie's humble origins in Soweto, to his final posting as South African ambassador to Germany where he met an accident which changed his life forever, but failed to dim his spirit.
"Given that Australia became an increasingly important voice in the global fight against apartheid, it is not possible to overstate his [Eddie's] influence as an activist who brought people to the cuase of justice… He neveer backed away from his commitment and was an inspirational and much-loved figure for all who met him."
— Anthony Albanese, MP, former deputy prime minister of Australia
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