World

Helen Suzman, Anti-Apartheid Activist, Dead at 91

by Tina Kells | January 2, 2009 at 12:00 am

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Helen Suzman a former member of South Africa's government, and for many years the only sitting member of parliament in active opposition of Apartheid, has died. She was 91 years old.

Suzman was a true humanitarian who was respected by all who knew her. For 13 years she was the only voice on record who openly opposed the racist legislation passed by South Africa's National Party.

In 1967 she visited Nelson Mandella in prison and during her 36 years in government she worked tirelessly to end the racism of Apartheid.

Suzman and her family had fled the persecution of Jews in Russia and she was openly appalled by the oppression of Blacks in her adopted homeland.

Her greatest pride and most regarded personal success was to have helped pioneer legislation that ended Apartheid. She was remembered as "great patriot and a fearless fighter against apartheid" by Achmat Dangor, the chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Helen Suzman, one of South Africa's most celebrated white anti-apartheid campaigners, has died at the age of 91.

The SAPA news agency quoted her daughter Frances Jowell on Thursday as saying she died peacefully in her Johannesburg home.

Suzman was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice.

She won praise and awards from human rights organisations from around the world.

For 13 years, Suzman was the only opposition politician in South Africa's parliament, raising her voice time after time against the introduction of racist legislation by the National Party government.