Endowment fund launched in memory of anti-apartheid activist

A new endowment fund has been launched in memory of South African Indian-origin anti- apartheid activist Ahmed Timol, who was murdered 46 years ago.
Charitable organisation Awqaf South Africa announced the establishment of the fund in the wake of a historic high court ruling last Friday, which said that Timol, then 29, was murdered while in detention at the notorious John Vorster Square police station in central Johannesburg.
Apartheid-era security police had claimed that Timol committed suicide by jumping out of the window of an upper floor of the building while being questioned.
While announcing the launch of the 'Awqaf South Africa Ahmed Timol Endowment Fund', Awqaf SA Chairman, Haroon Kalla, said it was a fitting tribute to a struggle hero.

"He was a fearless young man who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that others could bask in the light of constitutional freedom," Kalla said, adding that beneficiaries of the endowment fund would be young people involved in political and developmental studies.
"We feel that this would be the best way to honour the memory of Ahmed Timol, and we are excited to make this announcement at such an important juncture," Kalla said.