R.I.P. Helen Suzman

[malaise]

The Conscious of anti-apartheid among white South Africans.

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-01-01-helen-suzman-dies-in-johannesburg-at-91

In 1978 she received the United Nations Award for Human Rights, and she was honoured with an exhibition showcasing her life and work in film, print and photography at the South African Jewish Museum in March 2005. Former South African president Nelson Mandela, whom Suzman visited on Robben Island during his imprisonment there, has referred to her as "a remarkable South African woman".

In his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela said of Suzman: "It was an odd and wonderful sight to see this courageous woman peering into our cells and strolling around ourcourtyard. She was the first and only woman ever to grace our cells."

World-renowned South African author Nadine Gordimer said: "Helen Suzman had the brains and dignity to stick to her weapons and their target;
her impeccably informed gift of debate hit the bull's eye of apartheid laws."

In retirement she occasionally strayed back into the limelight in her characteristically combative manner.

[Wilms]

1. .

Helen Suzman

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. Oh No!!

She was a brave and remarkable woman. She and all of the others in the "Black Sash" movement were
so courageous. A true fighter for humanity has now passed!Her type of courage is what is so sorely lacking now!
Godspeed Helen Suzman!

[malaise]

3. Yes she was

They just read the AP news release about Helen's death on CSpan.

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. Suzman's exchange with Pres. PW Botha:

The enmity was mutual. In a typical parliamentary exchange in which Botha warned her against breaking the law, she said he would never bully her.

"I am not frightened of you. I never have been and I never will be. I think nothing of you."

She once said of Botha: "If he was female he would arrive in parliament on a broomstick."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/01/AR2009010100673.html?hpid=moreheadlines

LOL! Ah! The fighting spirit............(She would have said "Meh!" to him if it had been known.)

[malaise]

5. Lovely quote

Thanks for that link.

[Are_grits_groceries]

6. Link to BBC article and a video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7807070.stm

[malaise]

7. Can't believe I typed conscious

and not conscience - too late to correct.

[Are_grits_groceries]

8. Well, I was wide awake.

I didn't even notice.
It's not too far off. She was one of the few whites in SA that was
conscious of the real situation.

[malaise]

9. Sleep deprivation

and too much white wine :D. Hubby's still sleeping but I had to get up and feed those noisy stray kittens on the patio.

[Are_grits_groceries]

11. Could be worse after too much wine.......

You could be sleeping with kittehs and feeding
stray hubby on the patio.

[malaise]

13. LOL

DUzy - :rofl:

[HamdenRice]

10. She was a wonderful, principled lady who fought apartheid from inside

Some anti-apartheid activists made fun of her because she fought from inside, but at the end of the day, she was probably South Africa's most principled politician ever.

[babylonsister]

12. Thanks for informing me about Ms. Suzman.

I'd never heard of her before, may she rest peacefully.

She sounds like she was a wonderful person with a great wit.

[malaise]

14. You're welcome

Happy New Year and thanks for all your great posts. :hi: