#Helen Suzman

[girlactionfigure]

[beinglibertarian]

Principles of the South African Liberal and Progressive Parties in the 1950s

The following are the brief statements of principles by the Liberal Party of South Africa in 1955 and the Progressive Party of South Africa in 1959 respectively. In the context of the upcoming 2019 general election, it is worth reminding ourselves of the quest for limited constitutional government that played out during the history of the liberal movement in this country.

Liberal Party of South…

[bookreviewsrus]

Helen Suzman Bright Star in a Dark Chamber by Robin Renwick - A review

Dates - February 2017

Book Number of 2016 - 5 of 65

Synposis -

'The task of all who believe in multiracialism in this country is to survive. Quite inevitably time is on our side...' Helen Suzman was the voice of South Africa's conscience during the darkest days of apartheid. She stood alone in parliament, confronted by a legion of highly chauvinist male politicians. Armed with the relentless determination and biting wit for which she became renowned, Suzman battled the racist regime and earned her reputation as a legendary anti-apartheid campaigner. Despite constant antagonism and the threat of violence, she forced into the global spotlight the injustices of the country's minority rule. Access to Suzman's papers, including her unpublished correspondence with Nelson Mandela, was granted by her family to the author, former British ambassador to South Africa Robin Renwick, who has penned a book rich with examples of her humour and political brilliance. This first full biography goes beyond her famous struggle against apartheid into her criticisms of the post-apartheid government. It is a fascinating insight into the life of a truly great South African and her role in one of the most important struggles in modern history.

My thoughts

As I have been composing my thoughts to write this review, I was trying to thing about the first time I heard the name Helen Suzman and I cannot for the life of me remember when and why, however the tail end of the 1980′s and the beginning of the 1990′s were the times when I was beginning to notice the world outside of my window, and that time was often filled with the news from Johannesberg, and the dire situation in South Africa in general. 

Maybe it was that this time that I heard her name first or maybe later, but I could not be inspired more than  was then inspired by her story, a liberal white Jewish South African woman, who stood against the majority and stood often alone for what was right and just, and who was a voice in the South African parliament for the voiceless, often alone, through the dark days of Apartheid.  

I came to this book looking to fill in the gaps I had in my knowledge about Helen Suzman and whilst this was an interesting biography it seemed like a Readers Digest condensed book version of the life of Helen Suzman, years were passed over in a few sentences and the major relationships of her life with her husband, children and political collegues only got a very brief mentioned as did some of her more liberal views. 

By the time I got to the end of Robin Renwick’s book, I felt that this needed to be a 600 page well researched book rather than a 250 light read. Unfortunately scanning Amazon this evening, there appears to be no better biography available. Hopefully one day a scholar will tackle the life of Suzman but until that time we are stuck with this little book to remind us of a great woman who was for so long the Anti-Apartheid voice in the Parliament of South Africa.

Would I recommend it - Yes

[youngvotersuk-blog]

I stand for simple justice, equal opportunity and human rights. The indispensable elements in a democratic society - and well worth fighting for.

Helen Suzman

[universitybookstore]

“I stand for simple justice, equal opportunity, and human eights -- the indispensible elements in a democratic society -- and well worth fighting for.” -- so said Helen Suzman (1917 - 2009), South African human rights and anti-Apartheid activist, seen here with President Nelson Mandela.  He said of her, "It was an odd and wonderful sight to see this courageous woman peering into our cells and strolling around our courtyard. She was the first and only woman ever to grace our cells."

[snapshotza-blog]

Zille slams 'scare tactics'

Democracy is not about slavish devotion to a particular political party, DA leader Helen Zille said during a Freedom Day rally on Saturday.

“Democracy is about the freedom to choose; the freedom to change your mind,” she said in a speech prepared for…

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[badassjewishwomen]

The 1994 CNN profile on Helen Suzman.

Here is part 2, Suzman's interview with Ralph Begleiter:

[badassjewishwomen]

This is Helen Suzman and if you haven't heard of her, you should.  She was a member of the South African parliament during the height of Apartheid.  She was the lone member of the Progressive party represented in Parliament and the only voice in government who voice opposition to the Apartheid regime.  For her outspoken fight for reason and basic human decency, she was endlessly harassed by the police.  When they tapped her phones, "she liked to counter by blowing an ear-splitting whistle into the mouthpiece."  When her fellow members of Parliament hurled sexist and Anti-Semitic invectives at her, she replied, simply: "I am not frightened of you — I never have been, and I never will be...I think nothing of you.” (x)  

Suzman was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and was made an honorary Dame Commander by Elizabeth II.  She died in 2009.