Justice Leona Theron paid tribute to the invaluable contributions of volunteers at the Denis Hurley Centre, reflecting on the legacy of social justice and the fight against apartheid Constitutional Court Justice Leona Theron, Director of Denis Hurley Centre Dr Raymond Perrier and Judge Dr Navi Pillay. I ZAINUL DAWOOD
Constitutional Court Justice Leona Theron paid tribute to the tremendous work done by volunteers at the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) in Durban on Saturday.
Theron, who is also a DHC patron, attended the DHC Annual Stakeholders meeting and anniversary commemorations.
She reflected on 40 years after the Archbishop Denis Hurley and Paddy Kearney trials where they were targeted by the Apartheid-era legal system in an attempt to silence them. Theron reflected on the role the legal system played in protecting the vulnerable.
Director of DHC, Dr Raymond Perrier stated that in 1985, Hurley was almost put on trial because of information that he was sharing about horrific activities by the Apartheid state in Namibia.
And then later in the same year, Kearney was detained without charge. Hurley succeeded in challenging the detention in a landmark court case and ensuring Kearney’s release.
“While such blatant political manipulation of the courts may not happen anymore, we still live in a country in which the rights enshrined in the Constitution are not enjoyed equally by all who live within our borders,” Perrier said.
Theron described the DHC in two words, saying it represented social justice.
“They are doing a tremendous job. From everyone who benefits from your service we say thank you. The volunteers give people hope,” she said.
Theron said people should learn from the legacies of Kearney and Hurley and continue their legacy, that people should be part of the positive change that will improve the lives of the majority of the people. Theron said the DHC allows a platform to be part of social change and social justice.
“Despite the negativity we have to have hope. Never forget how far we have come from apartheid and colonialism. The success of the Hurley centre is as a result of their struggles. Let us stand up for what is right. Let us send out tiny little ripples of hope in our community.
“Let us increase the ripple to waves of hope. Hurley exposed what was going on in apartheid. Hurley stood up and remained standing. The government and state had to back down. He was one of thousands detained without trial,” she said.
The DHC works with people of all faith traditions to serve some of the poorest people in central Durban. In particular, they help homeless people, drug users, the urban unemployed, and refugees and offer service through clinics, feeding schemes, political and economic empowerment, community support, and pastoral outreach.
The Hurley weekend is held annually closest to Archbishop Hurley’s death (on February 13, 2004). This year marks 21 years since his passing, and 11 years since the DHC laid its foundation stone.
The AGM gave feedback on the DHC’s financial performance and deliverable outcomes over the past year.
Perrier said that in 2024, the total funds raised were R4.72 million, while expenses amounted to R5.86 million. The DHC received 26% of their funds from overseas and 74% from South Africa.
“We were able to cover costs by drawing down from unspent funds from 2023. In 2025 we need to raise R17,200 per day,” Perrier said.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za