A Life For Freedom: The Mission To End Racial Injustice In South Africa
by Denis Goldberg /
2016 / English / PDF
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From June 1963 to October 1964, ten antiapartheid activists were
tried at South Africa's Pretoria Supreme Court. Standing among the
accused with Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, and Walter Sisulu was
Denis Goldberg. Charged under the Sabotage and Suppression of
Communism Acts for "campaigning to overthrow the government by
violent revolution," Goldberg was found guilty and sentenced to
life imprisonment. The only white man convicted during the infamous
Rivonia trial, he played a historic role in the struggle for
justice in South Africa.
From June 1963 to October 1964, ten antiapartheid activists were
tried at South Africa's Pretoria Supreme Court. Standing among the
accused with Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, and Walter Sisulu was
Denis Goldberg. Charged under the Sabotage and Suppression of
Communism Acts for "campaigning to overthrow the government by
violent revolution," Goldberg was found guilty and sentenced to
life imprisonment. The only white man convicted during the infamous
Rivonia trial, he played a historic role in the struggle for
justice in South Africa.
In this remarkable autobiography, Goldberg discusses growing up
acutely aware of the injustice permeating his homeland. He joined
the South African Communist Party and helped found the Congress of
Democrats. It was his role as an officer in the armed underground
wing of the African National Congress (ANC), however, that led to
his life sentence―the outcome of which was a staggering twenty-two
years behind bars. While he was incarcerated, the racist dogma of
apartheid imposed complete separation from his black comrades and
colleagues, a segregation that denied him both the companionship
and the counsel of his fellow accused.
In this remarkable autobiography, Goldberg discusses growing up
acutely aware of the injustice permeating his homeland. He joined
the South African Communist Party and helped found the Congress of
Democrats. It was his role as an officer in the armed underground
wing of the African National Congress (ANC), however, that led to
his life sentence―the outcome of which was a staggering twenty-two
years behind bars. While he was incarcerated, the racist dogma of
apartheid imposed complete separation from his black comrades and
colleagues, a segregation that denied him both the companionship
and the counsel of his fellow accused.
Recounted with humor and humility, Goldberg's story not only
provides a sweeping overview of life in South Africa both during
and after apartheid, but also illuminates the experiences of the
activists and oppressors whose fates were bound together.
Recounted with humor and humility, Goldberg's story not only
provides a sweeping overview of life in South Africa both during
and after apartheid, but also illuminates the experiences of the
activists and oppressors whose fates were bound together.