'So proud of you, Dad'

Environmentalist Kumi Naidoo apologised to his daughter for not being able to spend Father's Day with her last Sunday while he was imprisoned in Greenland.

Naidoo, head of international environmental group Greenpeace, was arrested last week Friday with fellow activist Ulvar Arnkvaern in Greenland after the two scaled the Arctic drilling oil rig Leiv Eriksson to hand over a petition of 50000 signatures from activists in 100 countries.

The pair were charged with trespassing and for violating an order by entering the oil rig.

He was released on Tuesday and will now have to decide whether to pay a R20000 fine or go to court.

While in prison, Chatsworth-born Naidoo wrote a letter to his 19-year-old daughter, Naomi, who is studying in London. He said: "I just wanted you to know that I am fine, I miss you stacks, and as always I love you with all my heart."

Naidoo said while he missed spicy food, prison conditions had been good - he had three meals a day and two 30-minute outdoor walks.

He apologised to his daughter for not being with her on Father's Day but said though "the destruction of the Arctic might appear remote, it is fundamental for all of humanity. It is global warming that has threatened the livelihoods of millions and the melting of the Arctic ice cap is leading to the sea level rise around the world."

Naidoo said he sent the letter with his lawyer and received one from his daughter saying that she missed him but was proud of him.

"Watching the videos of you braving the freezing water cannons to scale that massive Arctic oil rig, I can truthfully say that I will spend this Father's Day being proud to be your daughter," she wrote.

Naidoo is prohibited from entering Greenland for a year.

Speaking to the Sunday Times Extra this week from his Amsterdam home, he said he was happy to be released and had been treated fairly.

He added that the objective was to let people know that protecting the environment was a global struggle .

"I think we have succeeded in doing that. We understand that not 100% support us but from the feedback we got it has been positive. But the struggle is far from over. This was to draw global public attention.

"It was also a message to companies involved in environmental destruction that taking us to court is not going to make us stop."

Naidoo said seeing his daughter at the airport waiting for him was the most "amazing thing".