Documentary captures life and times of late struggle icon Amy Thornton

Late veteran struggle activist, Amy Thornton, helped thousands of Cape Community Newspapers readers through her “Ask Amy” column, published in the Plainsman, Athlone News, Southern Mail and Vukani, between 2000 and 2009.

Her grandson, Drew Thornton, shared details of a documentary he’s making about her life, which is co-directed by Cape Town historian, Amber Fox-Martin, and Johannesburg-based filmmaker, Billie Badi.

Tell us about the documentary of Amy’s incredible life.

Ask Amy: Amy Thornton an Unorthodox Heroine of South African Liberation tells the remarkable story of my grandmother, a woman from a humble immigrant family who played an extraordinary role in the struggle against Apartheid.

Born in Cape Town in 1932, she came from a family actively involved in the anti-Apartheid struggle. Her own activism began at a young age when, at just 16, she joined the campaign against the National Party in the pivotal 1948 election.

Throughout her life, Amy displayed remarkable courage, resilience, and an unyielding dedication to the cause of liberation. Despite rising to be a senior member of the anti-Apartheid movement, once South Africa was transitioning to a democracy, she decided not to take up a position in government.

Instead, she became a Cape Community Newspapers columnist, writing the editorial, “Ask Amy”, which quickly became the most popular column in the newspapers.

What inspired you to produce this documentary on her life?

I was born in America, very far from my family in Cape Town, but never felt distant from them. I spent many holidays overseas with my grandmother and came to realise at a young age that she was no ordinary granny.

She had photos of political figures all throughout her house in Rondebosch, books from Karl Marx on the shelf, and framed newspaper clippings of her lifelong dedication to equality.

I knew she was a big deal when I saw a picture of Nelson Mandela having tea in her backyard where I used to play. It took a while but eventually it dawned on me that I didn’t know the slightest bit about my grandmother’s story. Who was this woman?

Unfortunately, my journey to try and capture her memories was later in her life, but she was a willing participant, nonetheless. With a borrowed camera I started to ask her some questions and I couldn’t believe the stories that my little granny shared with me. She was a powerhouse.

In recent years, I’ve struggled with my own political identity and Amy’s story helped me understand that it’s not just about marching down the street, it’s about reaching out to others and helping those in your community however you can. Sometimes in big ways, like helping end Apartheid, or through lots of impactful moments, like in her advice column.

I needed to figure out a way to tell others about her story.

What was it like having such a formidable woman as your grandmother?

My gran loved her community. She loved South Africa. If she could’ve been everyone’s grandmother, she would have, that’s how much love she had! I think her advice column was evidence of that and people loved her for it.

She dedicated her life to teaching others and making others feel safe and seen. She opened her home to those who needed shelter or a meal, whether they were university students or freedom fighters.

She gave the same respect to a petrol attendant as someone in parliament. And she was never afraid to speak her mind to anyone, as she was disgusted by injustice.

These are incredible values to learn; how to treat people with dignity, how to be caring and kind, and how to stand up for what is right. I’m so lucky to have had a role model like that, that’s for sure.

Any memories that stand out from her time writing the “Ask Amy” column?

When we interviewed Chantel Erfort, editor-in-chief of Africa Community Media for the documentary, I learned the sheer impact and importance the column had for a population of millions in a new democracy.

These are people who did not grow up with access to social services or basic human rights. Often times, their homes were broken or taken away from them. Amy wrote the column, every week, for almost 10 years, pouring her heart and soul into the community.

It was serious work. There was a translator on staff so that when people wrote into the column in their native language, it was also printed in their language so that others who may be dealing with similar issues could read about it in the paper.

But Ms Erfort shared that there was also a sweet, motherly side of Amy. She recalled a time when a young woman wrote into the column, embarrassed and nervous about a potential first kiss. Amy called up the woman and explained on the phone while at work, in detail, how to French kiss. No problem was too small for Amy.

You’re looking for readers that Amy helped through her column. How do they reach you?

Amy’s proudest professional achievement during her lifetime was her work on the “Ask Amy” column, even beyond being Madiba’s typist, or becoming a Patron of the United Democratic Front (UDF), or earning the Order of Luthuli. She made a real impact in the lives of ordinary South Africans.

We’ve read through thousands of letters submitted to the column. If you submitted a letter and were helped by Amy’s response, we would love to hear from you. Anyone who had a connection to Amy is important in our story.

Please contact our researcher and director, Amber Fox-Martin by sending an email to askamydoc@gmail.com