THE OBJECTORS

PERSONAL PROJECTS

Series: The Objectors

Location: South Africa

Year: 2014

Sue Britton was detained in solitary confinement in Durban for 3 weeks for her role with the End Conscription Campaign.

The Objectors is a photographic portrait series of conscientious objectors and ECC campaigners who risked their personal liberty to fight for equality and freedom in South Africa.

During apartheid, conscription to the military was mandatory for young white males. The South African Defence Force fought to contain the liberation movements in Namibia and Angola and later to control the black protestors in the townships back home. Whilst the National Party tried to justify the actions of the military as border protection, their intention was to maintain white minority rule.

Although there were ways to avoid or delay conscription, a number of individuals took a stand against the regime by publicly objecting to military service. Their actions were deemed illegal and carried a lengthy prison sentence. With the support of Conscientious Objectors Support Group (COSG) and the End Conscription Campaign (ECC) these men gave a voice to concerned white South Africans.

Formed in 1983, the ECC brought together a number of men and women who campaigned tirelessly to protest against mandatory conscription - risking arrest, detainment and interrogation.

The full collection is held in the permanent collection of the South African National Gallery.

The series was inspired by the book ‘Under Our Skin: A White Family's Journey Through South Africa's Darkest Years' by Donald McRae.

Anton Eberhard was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment in 1977, the first conscientious objector to be sentenced.

Richard Steele was sentenced to 12 months military imprisonment in 1980 for objecting to military service on the grounds of pacifism.

Peter Hathorn was sentenced to 2 years for his objection to military service. He served 1 year of this sentence split between Voortrekker detention barracks, Pretoria Central Prison and Pollsmoor Prison.

Neil Mitchell was 22 years old when he was sentenced to 1 year in detention barracks. 6 months into this sentence he was moved to civilian prison for a further 4 months when he refused to wear army uniform. 

Mike Evans was one of the founders of ECC and its Western Cape chairperson when it first went public in 1984.  His leadership role triggered 3 periods in detention, he even wrote some of his law exams in Pollsmoor Prison.

Laurie Nathan was a founder member of ECC, National Organiser in 1984-6 and Chairperson of the Cape Town branch in 1988-1989.

Ivan Toms (held by John Freeth) had already served in the SADF as a non-combatant doctor when he refused his call up in 1987. He was sentenced to 21 months in Pollsmoor Prison. He died on the 25th March 2008.

Harald Winkler fasted for 3 weeks in Johannesburg In 1985, as part of the ECC’s “Troops Out of the Townships” campaign.

Reverend Douglas Torr was the last conscientious objector to be prosecuted in 1991. He served 800 hours of community service.

David Bruce was the first objector to be sentenced to the maximum jail term of 6 years. 

Charles Bester was the youngest conscientious objector to be jailed. He was just 18 years old when he was sentenced to 6 years in Kroonstad prison. He was the last objector to be released. 

Etienne Essery served 4 months in Prison in 1983 for refusing military service. “My refusal to render service had become inevitable. After serving two years in the SADF I had started working with a theatre group producing work that echoed the grass roots opposition to apartheid. Donning a uniform once more was impossible - one world had ended for me and another had begun.” 

 John Freeth fasted with Ivan Toms for 3 weeks in the Cathedral in Cape Town as part of the “Troops Out” campaign.

Janet Cherry was detained by the security police during the State of Emergency in 1986. She spent 342 days in detention, with over 2 months in solitary confinement.

Brett Myrdal decided to go into exile rather than face the extended 6 year prison sentence. He joined the ANC military wing and worked underground for 5 years collecting military intelligence on the SADF.

Steve Reid was given 6 years alternative service when he applied to the board of religious objectors.

Mike Loewe spent 18 days in solitary confinement whilst working as a journalist in the Eastern Cape.

Billy Paddock served a year in prison in 1982. He died in the early 1990’s. Photograph being held by Brett Myrdal - Billy Paddock, circa 1983 by Paul Weinburg. 

All images ©Thom Pierce 2014