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'It took a woman like Helen'

by
2009-01-06 10:31

Gail Carolyn, News24 User

I would like to pay tribute to Helen Suzman, a white woman recognised throughout the world as having been principled and unafraid of the apartheid government from the time they came to power until her death.

It is an opportune moment to remind all those who read these columns of several facts of which many appear to be unaware:

  • It took a woman like Helen Suzman to care about the voiceless people of this nation.

  • Not all white people living in South Africa supported the apartheid government's policies.

  • Black people were not the only ones who were persecuted by the apartheid government for their beliefs.
  • The present Democratic Alliance is the heritage of that gutsy first Helen and strangely enough is lead by another equally capable woman, Helen Zille.
  • Afrikaners and English supported Helen Suzman throughout that dark period of our history. They may not have bombed people and killed in the name of apartheid but they too were discriminated against and watched and could suffer the same fate as that suffered by other Africans. Many did go into exile and in fact leave these shores and work from abroad.
  • The Apartheid government took us out of the Commonwealth and turned us into a Republic.

    In conclusion, let us remember all those who supported the brave and tenacious Africans who voted for Helen and eventually Prof Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Tony Leon, Colin Eglin and so on through those years.

    The name of the party was the Progressive Party, the Progressive Federal Party, the Democratic Party and today it stands as the Democratic Alliance under another woman called Helen Zille who goes about her task tirelessly, unsung and criticised by many who incorrectly believe she was part of the old nationalist party and therefore has no struggle credentials.

    This Helen is too busy serving the people by being the conscience of the ANC and the voice for the voiceless majority whom the current ANC treat as badly as did the NP and NNP.

    I salute the women Helen Zille and Helen Suzman and all those who serve the people and don't think that the people exist to serve them and praise them and most importantly enrich them. They do not seek wealth or power for themselves but justice and a better life for all.

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    Big Bad Bob 1/6/2009 10:38:43 AM
    For me the DA has only notional claim to the Prog heritage. They have a markedly different set of principles, and forever compromised themselves when they got into political bed with the likes of the NP and Lucas Mangope.

    Gugu 1/6/2009 10:51:22 AM
    Can you really compare the white activists and their black counterpart , in terms of treatment they received from the apartheid gov. I'll have you know the black activists were killed, while Hellen Suzman whom I have much respect for was scolded by Botha, please man do not compare it's a joke that you even tried.

    WAM 1/6/2009 10:52:14 AM
    Helen Susman was a classy person. Te Progs fought a good fight. Zille is no Susman, and the DA are no Progressive Party. It is trouble making to even try to link the two. If the DA was even 50% of the Progressive Party they would have my vote. They don't. The DA are the old Nats.

    Elizabeth 1/6/2009 10:54:17 AM
    I totally agree! People should stop seeing the DA as racist, as white, and start realising they have an awesome history and that they want to serve the people!

    Cape Town Kid 1/6/2009 10:55:35 AM
    HZille is definitely not the conscience of the ANC. She shud spend time uniting her city as a mayor, instead of running off for face-lifts and botox injectns.Her city is one of the most divided cities in the world and she helps to keep it that way. Unlike Helen Suzman who was not worried abt building a papparazi image which HZ obsesses about.So cheese and chalk I'd say...and even the most arrogant wudnt make such wild claims! There is only one Helen Suzman..so leave it at that.

    Thokozani 1/6/2009 10:58:04 AM
    How many white people actually came out to defend against what was happening against black people, 1 may be 2, 3 may be. The point is the are not even a hands full. I however admire the likes of helen Suzman, Joe Slovo and other white greats that were fighting hand in hand with black people.Black people were the ones mostly affected by this history while white people were sitting in thier posched houses build on blood, sweat and tears, so one can't help it's only a black tht faced hardship.

    colin 1/6/2009 11:00:14 AM
    It is as you said Afrikaners and English supported Helen Suzman throughout that dark period of our history - then why was she not elected as president of this country, your statement is as if all Afrikaners and all English people supported this woman but conversely it was a small portion of white South Africa who had the guts to stand beside this woman as the majority opted to support a corrupted and evil regime headed by the NP. I would like to say thank you to Helen Suzman for fighting the good fight as it is because of people like you that my children can take there rightful place in this country and be counted for and claim or demand their human dignity which there great-grandparents and grand parents were denied for centuries. Viva Mamma Helen Viva FREEDOM.

    Duzi 1/6/2009 11:07:41 AM
    Ignore the undoubtable abuse that you are likely to get for this article...

    Pop Idol 1/6/2009 11:09:10 AM
    If Helen Suzman thought of herself as a voice for the oppressed,why hasnt she spoken out against Palestinian abuse??? Jews,after 2000 years have suddenly claimed Israel.Those Hebrews that lost their land to the Romans dont exist anymore.They are mixed with White,Black,you name it,but yet feel its ok to neglect these Palestinians.They ALWAYS complain about anti-semitism,yet they have NEVER asked themselves as to WHY people hate them,for over 5000 years,WHY Hamas fires rockets into their yards.

    MJZ 1/6/2009 11:19:45 AM
    Gail I share Bob' sentiments.Your article semms to be nothing more than opportinistically using Helen Suzman's name to bolster the Helen Zille's DA which stands for nothing but fight back gains made since 1994, remember their election campaign slogan under Leon, please don't use Suzman's name in vain we are not that gullible even COPE in few years time will using MAndela's name instead of Thabo's and Lekota!How opportunistic!

    Pasta 1/6/2009 11:23:00 AM
    Afrikaners and English supported Helen Suzman throughout that dark period of our history. They may not have bombed people and killed in the name of apartheid but they too were discriminated against and watched and could e.t.c. .- As much as there were people like Gavin Woods and a few others but let us not kid ourselves just because blackness is in fashion now. Many did not support her hence her party was represented by one person in parliament.

    jabu pule 1/6/2009 11:23:45 AM
    Tributes to Helen Suzman- really? Tributes have been flowing freely by comrades for Helen Suzman. She was the "lone Ranger' within the system to fight for the oppressed majority. She also protected the white capitalists, enjoyed her privileges & built up her rotunda of distinguished struggle heroes.But, in diabolical South Africa, what about her unflinching support for the Zionist oppression of the Palestinians? For me, Slovo, Fischer, Kasrils, etc deserve credit for

    Duzi 1/6/2009 11:25:12 AM
    Although these ladies were not part of the so called "getting into bed" with you above mentioned (excuse my ignorance - I could be wrong), does this mean that they are guilty by association? If so, could it not also be said that the ANC is in the wrong for being associated with an adulterous man like JZ? And therefore "should" loose credibility? BBB this is not a poke at you, just curious at your opinion. Is this not double standards?

    Elizabeth 1/6/2009 11:29:08 AM
    This is NOT about Israel. Go write a letter. Thokozani, I am white, an Afrikaner, I have NEVEr lived in a posh house in my life. We were so poor in the apartheid South Africa, many days, like with black families, we only had pap to eat! So stop generalising. CTK, kiddo, just grow up, ok. Stop spreading racial hatred.

    nthatuwa 1/6/2009 11:34:38 AM
    Many of our people know the facts that you've stipulated here.Some,however,will fake amnesia just for their convenience.To say ANC did it on their own is DISHONESTY,I don't see how they could have achieved what they did without the help of white (English & Afrikaner),Indians & coloureds.It took UNITY & A COMMON GOAL,Somethig we can all strive to achieve if we are to have a truelly RAINBOW NATION.I do admire & respect Zille for her courage,though I do not support her party.

    Filemon 1/6/2009 11:36:39 AM
    H Suzman was conscience of SA and not Middle East you twat. What are you doing about Hamas and Israel if you are so concerned? besides posting dof comments? Nothing!

    Duzi 1/6/2009 11:39:23 AM
    Dude... if you think it's a divided city, then that's only because of people like you! You see black and white where as other people are trying to see past that. I have black, white, coloured and Indian friends... and I'm cool with this place. If you hate it so much, then why don't you just leave?

    Calvin Mkhiz 1/6/2009 11:39:37 AM
    The apartheid regime was brutal in dealing with black activists as compared to a handful white activists. Never ever compare the sufferings experienced by blacks with those of a handful elite white activists. Blacks were killed, detained in harsh conditions and some are in wheelchairs because of the white apartheid security forces. Yes Helen was all talk and part of the apartheid government because she enjoyed apartheid privileges. I rest my case with your kind.

    nthatuwa 1/6/2009 11:42:56 AM
    I personally admire a leader who sees to fix his own house before jumping to help others.How can you help others when your house isn't in order.Charity beginneth @ HOME!!What you ask Helen to have done is irrelevant to her.If your house is on fire,will you put out a fire in your neighbour's house 1st?...I appreciate that there are whites who stood with our bros & sistas,but many of our people suffered far greater than the white activists.Let's be honest!

    Jayzee 1/6/2009 11:43:18 AM
    The article is worryingly based on shoddy claims. To be precise, there was less than 0.01 percent of whities who where against apartheid. Helen Suzman came out and declared her stance because that is what she stood for but the rest kept quite because they supported apartheid. So, for whities to claim that darkies and whites were united against apartheid is laughable if not insane. Comparing H Suzman to H Zille is another mismanagement of ones brains.

    Juan 1/6/2009 11:43:27 AM
    Uh.. Helen was voted the BEST MAYOR in the WORLD! - And she's running YOUR city very well, I might add. Where's this 'division' you're talking about?.. Please use some FACTS in your arguments, otherwise you're just propegating a racial stereotype!

    cj 1/6/2009 11:51:54 AM
    The DA the old Nats? Most of the old Nats are currently sitting in parliament and on town councils across SA as members of the ANC. In fact, where I live, they are the best toyi-toyiers in town, falling all over themselves to keep their new best friends happy. Gimme a break!!

    vuyo 1/6/2009 11:52:31 AM
    gail, your comparison of this great legend and heroine to godzille is an insult to the great legacy she leaves behind. zille's only concern is her image to protect the white minority who feel they have had something that belongs to them taken away by the majority of the population, to them the worst is still to come.

    Alf 1/6/2009 11:52:37 AM
    True there were enough white liberals at the time by they were silently against apartheid as the benefits of being white were just too good to sacrifice. Only Helen and a few handful of white liberals were willing to be very vocal on their beliefs. So having a conscience does not neccessarily render you anti-apartheid, you have to go all the way like Helen and Beyers to name a few.

    Les-Maada 1/6/2009 11:52:37 AM
    Do you actually want to compare The late Helen Suzman to Zille..?I think O'l Helen must be turning on her grave!!

    Shimane Mbuyisa 1/6/2009 11:56:23 AM
    Yeah right! I see why you conveniently omitted HOW MANY SUCH AFRIKANERS AND ENGLISH given that for many years Helen was the only member of the opposition in Parliament. The rest of the Afrikaners and English kept returning the Nats back to power. Apartheid was so sweet that some of the English, Portuguese, German people ended up changing their "tribes" to Afrikaners. Today you have a Fereirra who is Afrikaner yet history says such people are Portuguese! There's only one Helen, and she's departed

    Francois 1/6/2009 12:00:29 PM
    As I read these comments I must state that I feel it's the same ol KAK from the same old sick people. In that I am referring to the usual suspects, Your lives must be so sad. Hope you die young so that the rest of us can build a nation with a sensible government.

    Dave 1/6/2009 12:01:42 PM
    ..and don?t forget the whites only referendum which saw the majority of whites go out and vote with an overwhelming majority to say ?yes? to negations which they knew would ultimately result in a ?black? government. Which is amazing given the campaign of fear unleashed at the time - the then DP was again pivotal in campaigning for the ?yes? vote.

    Francois 1/6/2009 12:02:44 PM
    That web troll called Cape Town Kid cannot reply cause she knows she's wrong.. with 100% on that statement.

    Lucky Ralawe 1/6/2009 12:04:13 PM
    They included Braam Fischer, Joe Slovo, Ruth First, Bishop Trevor Huddlestone, Oom Beyers Naude, Jack Simons, and last but not least the inimitable Helen Suzman. Zille pales into comparison, which is why she will remain a regional leader of the chihuahua party (a.k.a "DA") and not a national leader. So please do not insult Helen's integrity by comparing her to "Godzille". As CTK said, "chalk and cheese!" And for once I agree with CTK

    20 Something yr old white boy 1/6/2009 12:06:15 PM
    Who tried to come up against old school afrikaans males by herself and deserves to be held high in our history books. Well done, it's just a pity that Helen had to die in vien, I have no doubt that this new "democrocy" of ours is not what she fought for, with corruption, AA BEE BEEEE AAEE, the education, houseing, roads, it's all in a mess and I'm sure she fought for a better SA for ALL people of ALL colours, not just a select few from the darker skin population.

    lloyd macklin 1/6/2009 12:06:26 PM
    As a white who opposed apartheid I suffered abuse, mental and physical, loss of work promotion etc. Must I feel guilty that I was not killed? Did those who went into exile-like Mbeki-suffer any more than the whites who opposed apartheid and chose to stay? Lets be brutally honest. A very small number of blacks actually fought against apartheid while the vast majority suffered in silence. Do not demean the name of those who were in the 'struggle' by lumping them with those who 'suffered'.

    VG 1/6/2009 12:08:55 PM
    Whilst I share your admiration of Helen Suzman, I think the rest of your article is badly disguised DA propaganda.And as for the bit about not all white people supporting Apartheid..well,you're right but sadly thise that supported Helen Suzman were such a tiny minority that she was the lone MP for her party! post-fact everyone wants to pretend that they didn't support Apartheid - where did the Nats votes come from then?

    Angola Badprop 1/6/2009 12:10:39 PM
    You forget that there was this little event called the "REFERENDUM" when 52% of the country's whites voted for a change.I bet if they knew how many of them would be raped and murdered since that time the outcome would have been different.

    Smanga Zulu 1/6/2009 12:16:20 PM
    I did not know much about Helen Suzman until a few years ago and I must say that I admire her courage and selflessness. I put her on the same podium as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Martin Luther King Jr, George Bizos and many others. But I am sorry... comparing this senior stalwart to white apartheid apologists is an insult to her legacy and comparing her to Zille is beyond comprehension, they share a name... nothing else!

    Basie 1/6/2009 12:16:45 PM
    I am 29 years old and as a kid did not even know apartheid exists. My parents had to work hard every day. Apartheid was not in the hart of my family and others i grew up with. Apartheid was the results of goverment decisions and not as the result of the people. Just as we now have goverment making decisions that we do not all agree upon.

    MT 1/6/2009 12:16:58 PM
    First,briefly on CT.CT is probably only 2nd to Pretoria as far as division in our major cities is concerned.If you're a Capetonian,you know exactly where the white,coloured and black areas are,dont lets not act dumb for the sake of comfort. And Gail,shame on you for using HS's name in a DA campaign.Lastly,if the majority of whites supported the Progs,why then did they not win a single election as the Nats kept power for 46 years?

    Sinudeity 1/6/2009 12:18:29 PM
    Happy new year everyone. Saddens me to read the BS from CTK so early in the year. I firmly believe, that people like CTK, and likeminded ANC members, are responsible for xenophobia, and continual racism in South Africa. YOU are the TRUE counter revolutionary. Bring on the truth rebelion! This year, we will build South Africa, like NEVER before. CTK and her ilk, can pack her backs, move to Zim, and go support Mugabe.

    Badger 1/6/2009 12:18:55 PM
    Go load a rocket or something, Geeeeez do we have to have you on this site. Let P/stine and Israel sort there own kak out, while we TRY and sort ours out. Read the article again and again and once more. Don't get me wrong, I feel for those people, but Hamas drew first blood and Israel warned them about that. They did not listen !!!!!!

    Nardus 1/6/2009 12:20:34 PM
    "Give me a break" rightfully asks what did Helen ever said about palestinian abuse? Did she ever mention the abuse and wiping out of 27000 women and children in the concentration camps in SA during the Boer War? What did she ever say about the killing of thousands of farmers in SA? What did she ever say about white SA girls serving Nigerians as sex slaves and drug dealers? What did she ever say about the standard of living of black populace deteriorating since Apartheid years?

    Point Blank 1/6/2009 12:25:20 PM
    I'm very interested in knowing where you got you 0.001 percent from, please provide your source of information. If you cannot it will prove that you are a racist liar.. care to challange me on that?

    PH 1/6/2009 12:26:19 PM
    In the previous apartheid dispensation, which you would need to have been 34 or older to have voted in (1992 referendum plus 18 and above), MPs were voted in constituencies (i.e. not proportionally as is now).

    Richard Hipkin 1/6/2009 12:27:58 PM
    Calvin, Jabu, Jayzee and others. Where were your opinions on matters regarding other articles written over the last 4 or 5 weeks? Now when you have an opportunity to be typically racist you suddenly appear which proves a very important fact, you are all too stupid to debate real issues instead typically spewing your lies and ignorance and suspect stats. Have a nice day.

    JJ 1/6/2009 12:33:05 PM
    Indeed Angola Badprop They would have been singing a very different tune.

    MT 1/6/2009 12:35:54 PM
    Basie,Im a 26 year old,and as a kid I knew that apartheid existed.It was not in the heart of my family,but was a reality we had to face everyday.Apartheid was a governement decision that NOT ALL OF US AGRRED with.Those that went to the polls and voted for the nats for decades supported apartheid.Once again,lets not act dumb for the sake of comfort.We may not all agree with everything the current governement,but they were put into power by the true majority.

    A DJ 1/6/2009 12:36:38 PM
    Most of the exiles lived a life of bliss and luxury in western culture, hanging out with rich whites, living like rich whites. My parents were activists against apartheid, as was I, I didn't see Jabu, CTK or Calvin on the streets, they were too busy watching TV and listening to propaganda spewed by their grandparents

    Just sick of it all 1/6/2009 12:38:45 PM
    Well she did fight & so did many others, if being outspoken is considered fighting. Well what have we achieved......nothing. Corrupted government and police force, never mind the rest of the government agencies, broken down health/education system, highest VIOLENT crime rate, living in fear, educated emigrating, and the list goes on...Wow i am soooooo happy that things turned out the way they did, atleast we can all have our freedom while living in our prisons & in constant fear!Welcome New SA!

    AJ 1/6/2009 12:41:28 PM
    For the idiots wanting to know how NP stayed in power when majority wanted change, educate yourself on how voting worked. It's done based on seats (1 can be 500 000 votes and another could be only 50 000) cancel's each other out regardless of the difference in numbers.

    Mark V 1/6/2009 12:42:42 PM
    CTK, Jabu, and all who continue to bring up the apartheid gov. How many of you are willing to give up what you have towards the poor who are still being mistreated by the current gov? Open ur eyes, nothing much has changed, only the colour of the gov. They are all still there for their own.

    JK 1/6/2009 12:44:42 PM
    The DA did not get into bed with the NP, but the ANC did! Hence they even have the ex-leader of the NP as a minister! Besides I don't think Gail was trying to say Helen Zille is equal to Helen Suzman. She was just pointing out that they both fought for true equality and a better life for all (which the ANC promises but never delivers). AND Zille was an anti-apartheid activist long before being the DA leader!

    Ginger 1/6/2009 12:52:08 PM
    Everyone I knew who was white voted yes in that referedum. I can't think of anyone who was an ordinary white person in the street who wanted supression of blacks. That was one of those ugly government things - much like the ANC is now doing in reverse. Governments have always made me sick with their hatred. I was always against apartheid and am still against anything racially motivated. We are ALL South Africans.

    Ginger 1/6/2009 12:53:50 PM
    I have never voted for the National Party and if they come back - I will still never vote for them. May they rot in hell.

    Elizabeth 1/6/2009 12:59:22 PM
    Uhm. Which history says a Fereirra is not an Afrikaner? Do you even know the history of the Afrikaner people, how they came to exist? It's a mix of European people, from over 300 years ago, came together here in South Africa (just like black tribes came here from other places). Then developed a new white tribe, with a new identity, NO MORE European, but Afrikaner. Taking on the Afrikaans language, which was developed by slaves (not whites).We as the new generation should stop see race!

    colin 1/6/2009 1:36:26 PM
    People died for the freedom we are enjoying in this country today - it was not given but paid by the blood of the people from the soil of Africa and it is not a gift given by a white hand. Recognizing our freedom to be a gift from a white hand would be the same as nullifying the contributions and sacrifices of the Mandelas, Mbekis, Slovos, Thambos, Hector Pietersen and all the other normal black South African who suffered under the hand of white South Africa

    VG 1/6/2009 1:44:44 PM
    "The DA did not get into bed with the NP, butthe ANC did " HUH???? The DA was born from an alliance between the then DP and the NP! ITs only when that pitiful alliance broke down that the NP sold their souls to the ANC - who were oly too happy to accept the parliamentary seats they brought...

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