1.
SV Father of Amanda Sanger speaking
0.48

2.
SV ZOOM IN TO CUT Mother of Ebrahim Patel speaking
2.00

3.
CU Father of Nicolette Van Driel speaking
2.23

4.
CU Mrs Patel speaking
2.49


SPEECH (TRANSCRIPT)



SEQ. 1: SANGER: "We have come to the conclusion that our children have been unjustly detained. Since last year, since the boycotts of last year, they have been uniting themselves, they've gone and worked among the various communities, they have not in any way been a disruptive force."



REPORTER: "Do you think your protest will have a chance of success?"



PATEL: "Well, we feel that, er, we have all decided to come together, Muslims as well as Christians, from all over, to fast for one day, to give us special strength in our struggle against any form of oppression. Regardless of whether our children be Muslim or Christian, we appeal to one Almighty. To fast is one way to appeal. Our fast will be an indication that we have not forgotten our children. The fast is thus a solidarity gesture with them. Our fight is for basic humanity."



VAN DRIEL: "I'll just say that Nicky was arrested and charged under Section 22, and they took her away."



REPORTER: "What does Section 22 mean?"



VAN DRIEL: "Section 22 means that the state keeps her for 14 days (indistinct) and she's denied to see a lawyer or her parents."



PATEL: "I feel a parent has all the right to know what is happening to the child, and to the condition of that child, and to the welfare of that child, for that child belongs to the parent. That child is part and parcel of the parent, and so is the parent to the child."





Initials PM





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In South Africa, the families of political detainees held under the country's controversial security laws have held a meeting to demand their unconditional release. Many of the detainees are students and teachers arrested under Section 22, which means they can be held without trial or legal representation. On Friday (28 August) a news conference in Cape Town was addressed by the parents of three detainees -- 18-year-old Amanda Sanger, 15-year-old Ebrahim Patel and 18-year-old Nicolette Van Driel. First to speak was Mr. Sanger.