Alan Paton was a celebrated author and Anti-Apartheid activist who helped found the Liberal Party. Google has honoured him on his 115th Birthday with a Google Doodle celebrating his life’s work.
Alan Paton was born in Pietermaritzburg on the 11th of January 1903. He went on to become a forefather fighting for the end of Apartheid in South Africa. Alan wrote the best selling book called ‘Cry, the My Beloved Country’. He also spoke out publically against the Apartheid Regime.
After studying to be a teacher, Alan became the head of a youth prison that held young black South Africans. His heart was filled with love and compassion. During his time as the head of the prison, he implemented programmes that offered the young men respect, dignity and a second chance at life. The young men were given work permits and allowed to visit home.
In 1953 he formed Liberal Party which opposed apartheid system by offering a non-racial alternative to government policy. Sadly he passed away a few years before Apartheid was abolished but his hard work has not gone unnoticed and today he is honoured for his dedication to equality.
Alan was honoured with the Annual Freedom Award in New York 1960. Today he is honoured at the Hall of Freedom of the Liberal International organisation.
His book has since gone on to be written as a movie as well as a musical and an opera. His works are profound even in modern society.
“To give up the task of reforming society is to give up one’s responsibility as a free man”
“I envision someday a great, peaceful South Africa in which the world will take pride, a nation in which each of many different groups will be making its own creative contribution”
Today’s Doodle honours South African author Alan Paton and celebrates the 115th birthday of a visionary who did much to fight for basic human principles of love, non-violence, and equality. Happy Birthday, sir! #GoogleDoodle pic.twitter.com/8RlBYtAENY
— Google in Africa (@googleafrica) January 11, 2018
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