Sydney Duval, a stalwart of the South African Catholic community, recently marked his 90th birthday. Born in 1936 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Duval has led a life of unwavering dedication to his faith and service to others. With a career spanning over six decades, he has left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church in South Africa. Duval's early life was shaped by his upbringing in St Michael's parish in Red Hill and later St Joseph's parish in Morningside.
Duval's journey into the priesthood began in 1958 when he entered the seminary. He attended St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria, where he forged lasting friendships with fellow students, including Mgr Paul Nadal and Michael Shackleton. However, Duval soon realised that his calling lay elsewhere, and he pursued a career in journalism instead. As a reporter and sub-editor, he earned a reputation for his exceptional writing skills, working for prominent publications such as the Rand Daily Mail, The Star, and The Southern Cross.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Duval was an active participant in the anti-apartheid movement. He was part of a circle of activists that included Drake Kota, Thom Manthata, and Fr Cosmas Desmond. Through his involvement with Catholic Action for Racial Equality (CARE), Duval helped draft the bishops' "Call to Conscience" pastoral statement in 1972. This document, described by Dr Beyers Naudé as "one of the most important Church documents of the century," was a significant milestone in the fight against apartheid.
Duval's contributions to Catholic media have been immense. He was instrumental in reviving the Zulu newspaper UmAfrika, which had a circulation of only 6,000 in 1986. By 1994, under his guidance, the newspaper's circulation had soared to 72,000. He also played a key role in establishing the Comboni magazine Worldwide and securing funding for The Southern Cross's transition to desktop publishing in the early 1990s.
In 1980, Duval moved to Cape Town, where he worked as personal secretary to Archbishop Stephen Naidoo and later Archbishop Lawrence Henry. During his tenure, he drove Mother Teresa around the Cape Peninsula during her 1988 visit to South Africa. Duval also served as a board member of Catholic Welfare & Development (CWD) for 27 years and was the first chairperson of the Rural Development & Support Programme (RDSP).
Throughout his life, Duval has been driven by a passion for social justice and a commitment to serving the marginalised. He co-founded Youth Unlimited, a coalition of youth organisations in Cape Town's townships, and has worked tirelessly to secure funding for various Church projects. His association with the Franciscan Nardini Sisters in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, has been particularly close to his heart, and he has produced a widely circulated newsletter in two languages for the community.
As Duval looks back on his remarkable life, his love for the Church and its people remains unwavering. His dedication to Mariannhill monastery near Pinetown in Durban is a testament to his enduring faith. With a life marked by service, activism, and journalism, Duval's legacy serves as an inspiration to generations of South Africans. He is survived by his four children: Serge, Clea, Luc, and Dominic, and his wife Christiane, who passed away in 2024.
Key points
- Sydney Duval, a renowned Catholic journalist and activist, celebrates his 90th birthday.
- Duval played a significant role in the anti-apartheid movement and was instrumental in drafting the bishops' "Call to Conscience" pastoral statement in 1972.
- He has made immense contributions to Catholic media, including reviving the Zulu newspaper UmAfrika and securing funding for The Southern Cross's transition to desktop publishing.
