Canon Lewis John Collins, who died on 31 December 1982 at the age of 77, first set up a fund to combat racialism in Southern Africa more than 30 years previously. As President of International Defence and Aid Fund he became internationally known as an untiring and determined fighter against apartheid – a commitment which in 1978 won recognition at the United Nations through the award of a Gold Medal by the Special Committee against Apartheid.
In 1956, the Canon opened a Treason Trial Fund for the defence of 156 South African leaders accused of treason, and for the support of their families.
The formation of the International Defence and Aid Fund, in 1964, was made necessary by the apartheid regime's increasing resort to political repression. A year later, the South African Defence and Aid Committees used by the Fund to channel monies to those in need inside the country, were banned.
The material support which Canon Collins gave through the Fund to the peoples of Southern Africa did more than simply enable them to continue living, pay their legal fees and provide education. It was as if, from thousands of miles away, he said to a political prisoner, a detainee, a bereaved relative or a child, 'You are important'.
Following Canon Collins' death many moving letters, cables and messages were received from the leaders of the Southern African liberation struggles, from former political prisoners and detainees, and from IDAF's various National Committees. Extracts from these expressions of sympathy and solidarity are reproduced here; others came from the President of Zambia, the Chairman of the UN Special Committee against Apartheid, the Chairman of the UN Trust Fund for South Africa, the Foreign Ministers of Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands, the Netherlands Minister of Development Co-operation, the Danish Embassy in London, a representative of the UN High Commission for Refugees, the Catholic Institute for International Relations, the Mouvement Contre le Racisme et pour l'Amitie entre les Peuples (MRAP) of France, Kairos Werkgroup of the Netherlands, the British Anti-Apartheid Movement, and many others.
The floral tributes for Canon Collins' funeral which took place in St Paul's Cathedral on 11 January 1983, included wreaths from Nelson and Winnie Mandela, the accused in the Treason Trial, and all South African political prisoners.
A memorial service for the Canon took place in St Paul's on 23 February.
Tragic and untimely death has taken John Collins away from us and from our daily world. We are left with a feeling of inadequacy in a world that is less complete for his departure. Above all, our hearts are heavy with grief because we loved John Collins for who he was and what he was – a living expression of human greatness.
Canon Collins of St Paul's and Amen Court belonged to a much bigger and broader family: the ANC, the liberation movements in Southern Africa, millions of people suffering under the evil system of apartheid have lost a dedicated and resourceful supporter, a great humanitarian who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to the struggle for justice and human dignity in South Africa. An integral part of the political world of Chief Albert Lutuli and Nelson Mandela has been removed ...
Oliver Tambo, President of the African National Congress.
We learnt with great sadness of the highly regrettable passing away of our respected and beloved friend Canon L. John Collins.
The Central Committee and the entire membership of SWAPO sincerely lament over the death of that great friend of ours. Canon L. John Collins was a great freedom fighter, a consistent defender of the oppressed peoples and a champion of democratic liberties and peace among nations. His love for humanity and commitment to the principles of justice will remain for us a permanent source of inspiration and guide in human relations. His personal contribution to the cause of our people will forever remain fresh in our minds.
Sam Nujoma, President of SWAPO of Namibia.
'Those of us who were in detention clearly remember how the International Defence and Aid Fund during his time so generously extended substantial and extensive assistance to many of us by paying legal fees for those who had to defend themselves in court against political offences, giving aid to our destitute families, and paying our study fees. Canon Collins' invaluable contribution for the good of humanity will for ever remain vivid in our memories.
His death is a tragic and sad loss to many Zimbabweans as indeed it is to many humanists the world over. He was truly a great man.
Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe.
Canon Collins was a man of vision. He was a humanist. He was a true philanthropist. He was a true Christian. He talked less about the oppression of my people, and did much more. ... I place Canon Collins among those who have helped the dispossessed of my country to come out of the stifling fog of dehumanisation and national dispossession...
Hamilton Keke, Chief Representative of the Pan-Africanist Congress in the UK.
He will be long remembered in Zimbabwe for his work in support of men and women who were imprisoned for their beliefs. Through his able leadership of IDAF and Christian Action thousands of political prisoners in the then Rhodesia were, together with their families, maintained, educated, given legal aid and, after release, resettled. His life and his deeds told in ways far beyond words of his commitment to the one who 'came to set the prisoners free'.
Valentine T Ziswa, National Executive Officer for Christian Care National Executive and Officer Bearers.
An outstanding personality in the struggle against apartheid has left us. Canon Collins' dedicated and constructive opposition to apartheid has met with great admiration in Sweden. His tireless efforts in the defence and care for innumerable cases of victims of apartheid are well-known and deeply respected. A great number of Swedes have been inspired by Canon Collins' invaluable and deep knowledge about apartheid and peaceful ways to work for the abolition of the system.
Lennart Bodstrom, Foreign Minister of Sweden.
It is no small tribute to him that many thousands of people in southern Africa today owe life, relief, health and hope to his untiring work at the helm of the International Defence and Aid Fund.
Anders Thunborg, Chairman of the Committee of Trustees of the UN Trust Fund for South Africa.
On behalf of the struggling workers of South Africa, the National Executive Committee of the South African Congress of Trade Unions wishes to pay tribute to Canon Collins – an indomitable fighter against apartheid ... His passing will be strongly felt by the people of South Africa. He was a pillar of support in our struggle against the racist regime from the time of the Treason Trial – in which many SACTU activists were charged – until the present day.
SACTU National Executive Committee
Canon Collins was a very compassionate man totally devoted to the service of his fellowmen. In my dealings with him I cannot remember a single occasion when an appeal for help went unanswered. His death is a grievous blow to the oppressed people of South Africa.
Norman Traub, for the Unity Movement.
We have to look back from now on and recall all he has done: for our sisters and brothers in Southern Africa; for the Church, in Christian Action; for peace in his struggle against nuclear armaments; far away and close by in his family and for his nearest co-operators.
His achievements became history, but a history from which we draw inspiration to go on to bring his dreams to reality.
Jaap Roosjen, Chairman, Defence and Aid Fund Nederland.
