I Met the Person Who is My Namesake

David Moisi was one of the South African political prisoners sentenced to life (after being sentenced to death and serving two years on death row).  I had been very close to his parents and even his uncle.  In fact, I actually missed my international flight home in 1990 because of a series of very long goodbyes between me and his parents!   I had not been in touch with David for 17 years, but in 2010 I mailed a letter to the only address I had for his family in Sebokeng, South Africa; that that address was 20 years old.  How crazy was that?!!!  His parents had long passed, but incredibly, his sister still lived in the family home.  She forwarded the letter to David and he sent me an e-mail message. 

I began my letter, “It has been so long since I have been in touch, I hope you remember who I am.” 

David began his message,
“Hi Debbie,
 It's been quite long, but worthwhile that we still know about our history of struggle and a long journey to where we are today.  I cannot forget about you…. I have a 16 year old girl who my family named after you: Deborah Lerato Moisi….”

I couldn’t believe it!  I was honored and amazed, but found it really hard to believe.  Maybe it was just a coincidence, and he was being kind.  I didn’t tell anyone because it was possible that I had not understood him correctly. 

Over the years, David repeated the same thing, so I was beginning to believe him, but still I found it incredible.  I was able to speak to his daughter on the phone for a few minutes in April 2014, but we were not able to meet.  I was determined to meet Lerato on this trip and find out if, how, and why she was named Deborah.

On September 4, 2014, Lerato e-mailed me and among other things said:
“As you know I was named after you.  Your name or rather our name has extreme sentimental value to me. I was named Deborah after my grandfather (my father's father). I was told he was decided before I was born that that would be my name because without you, your never dying will, your dedication, your compassion, your hard-work and love for humanity, I wouldn't be here. I know you did not accomplish it on your own but you were there for my family at a time when most feared and ran. You, to me, are an icon, inspiration, and I cannot wait to finally be introduced to you.”

I finally met the person who is my namesake on Sunday, September 7, 2014.  Lerato Deborah Moisi or Deborah Lerato Moisi (I’m not sure if Deborah is the first or middle name) is beautiful, smart and just lovely.  After we sat down and started talking, I asked her what she was told about me; why she was named after me.  When she said that she was told I was a lawyer, I decided I needed to film her response.  I was shocked by what she said next!!!!  She said she was told that I was the lawyer who got him off of death row!!!  OMG!!!  I said NO!!!!  Not only was I not involved in getting him off of death row, I was not and am not even a lawyer!!!  I felt she had been named after me under false pretense; dear old Mr. Moisi had gotten confused and gotten it wrong.  She assured me that the honor was bestowed for other reasons as well.  The excerpt of her interview can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxET2BmjNhc.      When I asked her father about this, he said that I gave the family hope and support.  David Moisi talks about why naming his daughter after me made sense here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFDlqHU-zqo.

Given the restrictions and State of Emergency during the late 80’s, families of people who were politically inclined and arrested were isolated.  It was dangerous for neighbors, friends, and even extended family to visit the family of a political prisoner. If you did, the special branch police would want to know who you are and why you were visiting that family.  Therefore, families of political prisoners really didn’t have people visiting them; they were very isolated from the community.  William Mlambo, who worked for the South African Council of Churches and was assigned to take me around when I interviewed the families of the life prisoners in 1989, talks about that, and the meaning of the Bracelet Program for the families in the excerpt of the interview I did with him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25tIJCj8Ios.  

It was an honor for me to meet Lerato and I look forward to being a part of her life from now on!