Yusuf Dadoo - University in London and Edinburgh

University in London and Edinburgh

With his secondary schooling completed, at age 18, Yusuf returned to Krugersdorp, where his father insisted that he help with running his business, despite Yusuf's desire to study law. After two years of clashes, including Yusuf organising a strike by his father's African workers, and running away from home, Mohammed agreed to send Yusuf to London to study medicine. In London, Yusuf continued to be politically active, and was arrested for participating in a protest against the Simon Commission. Hearing of his arrest, his parents had him transfer to Edinburgh University, where he completed his studies. In Edinburgh, Yusuf met many fellow students from around the British Empire, giving him a broader view of colonialism. Inspired by the 1929 rise of the Labour Party, he began to read Marxist literature, joined the Independent Labour Party, and delivered communist speeches at the Edinburgh speakers' corner. He also befriended fellow student and Indian South African Monty Naicker. In 1936 he was awarded his medical degree, LRCPS, and returned to South Africa resolved to revitalise the struggle against racial discrimination there.