Greetings Margaret,

Long time, no see, dear friend. Just making sure “you lot” have kept up with “what’s going on”.

There have been months of unprecedented gloom on the global scene since October 7, 2023, but on January 11, there was more than a glimmer of light at the World Court for people of conscience around the globe.

If you missed it, check it on YouTube.

While anyone involved in the global movement that transformed South Africa recognises that the Rainbow Nation has not been perfect; this exercise at the International Court of Justice is an example of global moral leadership, reflecting humanity at its best.

We were introduced in 1981 by our mutual friend, the late Ron Lightbourne, during the early days for the anti-apartheid movement in Bermuda. In fact, you made your office at the Opportunity Workshop available for meetings. Your deep sense of reverence for all, your light, became immediately evident to those of us involved.

Your special sense of empathy may be related to you having experienced a debilitating disability.

You had missed our picket at the bank on June 26, 1981. Of course, challenging the status quo regarding allegations made by the United Nations did result in pushback. That “cold water” had impact.

However, surprising to many, the Reverend Canon Thomas Nisbett and yourself joined the co-ordinating team of the campaign at that pivotal period. The movement’s popularity at that juncture was reflected in a fundraising concert at Ruth Seaton James Auditorium, which attracted only two dozen people.

Undeterred, you organised a “wheel-a-thon” involving a small group of fellow disabled folks, wheeling from St George’s to Hamilton on a Sunday afternoon. When that date saw torrential rain, I had mistakenly assumed postponement. However, that event overcame the odds and the group, including Willard “Foxy” Fox and Claire Moore, successfully made it to Hamilton.

In the gloom of those rainstorms, that collective manifestation of love for all offered more than a glimmer of light.

That inspirational example by some our society’s most vulnerable proved transformative. That spirit led to a collaboration that secured US congresswoman Shirley Chisholm for a telethon. Gene Steede also featured and we topped up the fund to $30,000, which was matched by the Government.

For more than a decade, we persevered with highs and lows. The visit of the Most Reverend Trevor Huddleston, Archbishop of the Indian Ocean — who was the chair of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement — was most meaningful for all of us. You and Ron Lightbourne gave him an island tour while he regaled you with stories of his time in South Africa, engaged in those fostering light during that dark gloom.

Your light remained vital. For instance, you used your skills to produce small black, gold and green ribbons — South African colours. We were astounded when you and Rosie Fox produced several hundreds of them for fundraising.

Eventually, the global effort was rewarded with a democratic South Africa.

Ron, the passionate musician, would know that pianist Les McCann passed last month — Tryin’ to Make It Real. The lyrics from Compared To What, which became a peace anthem in 1966, include:

The President, he’s got his war

Folks don’t know just what it’s for

Nobody gives us rhyme or reason

Have one doubt, they call it treason

This sums up the propaganda used during the Vietnam War, South Africa’s apartheid and present-day circumstances. Maybe Ron could instigate a jam session with Les, Jimi, John, Bob, Miles, and many others who are “tryin’ to make it real”.

Given global power dynamics, the World Court’s outcome is up in the air.

That said, Margaret, just let your light shine.

• Glenn Fubler represents Imagine Bermuda