Mom in 1971 in Abingdon, Berkshire
In 1991 Eve and Tony returned to South Africa after 30 years in exile – and in 1998 – as fate would have they came to live in our valley.
In the 10 years since then Leigh and I have come to know them – not only as close neighbours , sharing a common interest in our bushveld home – but as dear and trusted friends.
They would recount tales of past adventures – of their travels and travails in different parts of the world – in Africa, in India and in the U.K. - and Eve would bubble with laughter. Friends from the old days would come to visit – and they would add new colour and textures and shapes to the unfolding kaleidoscope of their lives.
And then Eve’s we met mother – the delightful Lisa – who brought with her recollections of pre and postwar Europe and the changes of destiny and fortune that brought them to South Africa.
And suddenly one became aware of the forces that had shaped Eve’s sensibility. – and in time I began to think I knew “all about Eve”.
But it was only when I was reading up on her background that I began to realize the enormity of her contribution to the well being of her fellow men – and particularly women.
As a young university student she had become enraged by the prevailing climate of indifference and sheer arrogance she saw around her – and she spoke out against it – and was arrested - and had to suffer the indignity of incarceration – an event which set the seal on her strengthening convictions on morality and human decency.
Not long after that Eve and Tony had their South African passports withdrawn and they left the country with no hope of ever returning.
The following 30 years were filled with tireless endeavours to improve the lot of the underprivileged through the United Nations and other international organizations.
The breadth of Eve’s work in this field is breathtaking and will long be remembered by those who came into contact with her.
The amazing events of the early 1990’s enabled them finally come home and pick up where they had left off.
When I first met Eve I was immediately struck by the agility of her mind and her powers of reasoning.
Discussions often turned into debates and if you took her on you’d better be sure of your facts because she was surprisingly well informed on a variety of subjects, ranging from literature to art – to history – to philosophy – to cooking.
She was very well read – and unlike many who read voraciously – it all stuck and enabled her to call on a seemingly endless bank of fact and information. Our encounter often gave me pause to reconsider my own viewpoint.
Eve was blessed with just the right balance of defiance and compassion –challenge and kindness – and always ready to do battle against the enemies of justice and fair play.
When it became clear that her worsening condition was taking its toll and that time was running out, how touching it was to see her maternal instincts impelling her to be closer to Phil and Chris and Andy – and their families.
And the tenderness and love shown by Tony during that long illness, filled us all with humility……..
I shall always remember her as -The Little Lady- who, for a brief moment in time, came to live amongst us in the Houtboschloop Valley - and how lovely it was to have known her.
Harold Voigt
November 10th, 2007
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