Google Doodle pays tribute to SA activist, Alan Paton
Google is celebrating one of South Africa's heroes, anti-apartheid activist and author, Alan Paton.
Paton - who was born in Pietermaritzburg and graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal ( the then University of Natal) would have been 115 years old today.
His most recent published work is a collection of short stories Hero of Currie Road: the complete short pieces - compiled and made available for publication in 2008.
The Doodle shows Paton on a train ride, and according to Google - this is where he was inspired to write the famous publication, Cry, the Beloved Country.
In 1953, the activist co-founded the Liberal Party of South Africa, which actively opposed the racial segregation laws introduced by the National Party's administration.
Today marks the 115th anniversary of the birth of Author and anti-apartheid activist Alan Paton who wrote the classic "Cry the Beloved Country" which quickly became a worldwide bestseller. Today's Google Doodle has been marked in honour of his legacy. pic.twitter.com/ThrUGwQjl9
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) January 11, 2018
Google Doodle today is in celebration of Alan Paton. The hills around iXopo are as green as ever and the tears have not abated. pic.twitter.com/I4PAqlt0xq
— Jono Heher (@JonoHeher) January 11, 2018
Today’s Doodle honours South African author Alan Paton and celebrates the 115th birthday of a visionary who did much to fight for basic human principles of love, non-violence, and equality. Happy Birthday, sir! #GoogleDoodle pic.twitter.com/8RlBYtAENY
— Google in Africa (@googleafrica) January 11, 2018
"To give up the task of reforming society is to give up one's responsibility as a free man."
— James Preston (@jamesprestonza) January 11, 2018
What a line from ALAN PATON on his 115th bday.
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It spoke straight to me,because I was literally JUST thinking it's so much easier to go into a cave & leave society to their own devices.
"There is only one way in which one can endure man's inhumanity to man and that is to try, in one's own life, to exemplify man's humanity to man." - Alan Paton. He would've turned 115 years old today. #AlanPaton #CrytheBelovedCountry
— Nkanyezi Tshabalala (@Nkanyezi_T) January 11, 2018