M. D. Naidoo

Mooroogiah Dhanapathy Naidoo (1919 – 1 June 1995) was a South African Indian political activist and lawyer. He is best known for his role in the anti-apartheid movement, for which he was imprisoned on Robben Island between 1967 and 1972.

Life and career Naidoo was born in 1919 in Durban to a Hindu family descended from indentured Indian laborers. His father, a merchant, lost his property in the 1929 stock market crash, and Naidoo's secondary schooling was delayed as he left school to find work. In 1943 he enrolled at the University of Natal. After 1948, Naidoo's political activity extended to the anti-apartheid movement. After his release, Naidoo faced house arrest, a banning order and surveillance and could not practice law.

In 1977. M.J. Naidoo (M.D. Naidoo's brother) assisted him to escape into exile and enter UK illegally. Between 1977 and 1991, Naidoo lived in exile in Britain. She had an extramarital affair during his imprisonment, and they divorced in 1977. He had custody over their two sons, Sadhan and Sha, who predeceased him; they also had a daughter together, named Sukthie.