Voices of Liberation Series: Ruth First and Albert Luthuli Launched at Idasa

The first two books in HSRC Press’ Voices of Liberation series were launched at Idasa earlier this week. Veteran ANC MP, Ben Turok, and author and academic, Don Pinnock, discussed the two titles, Ruth First and Albert Luthuli, with Maanda Mulaudzi from UCT‘s Department of Historical Studies.

The illustrious panel was introduced by HSRC Press’ publishing director, Jeremy Wightman, who expressed the hope that the new series would invite contemporary readers to revisit the rich history of the struggle as well as the multiple meanings of freedom, democracy, entitlement and justice. According to Wightman, the series was designed to celebrate the life and writings of African liberation activists: “The purpose is to ensure that the debates and values that shaped the liberation movement of Africa are not lost and that the revolution towards a better world continues.”

Highlights of the evening included Ben Turok reminiscing about his relationships with Luthuli and First. Of the former, he said, “I knew him in the 50s when I was working for the Congress of Democrats. I got to know him in Cape Town where he addressed liberal white South Africans in the Rondebosch Town Hall. I spent a day taking him around. I have a photo of him on the beach at Camps Bay with Fred Carneson and Sonia Bunting. He was very warmly received in Rondebosch. I got to know him as a very humble person, who was unfailingly polite, and would respond to questions in a modest, quiet way. He was a man of exceptional dignity, standing, stature.” Turok pointed out how paradoxical it was that Luthuli had led the protest of burning the dompasses considering his conservative background.

He said he knew Ruth First much better. His three sons and her three daughters had swum and played together in Bram Fischer’s swimming pool. He’d also driven her around the Northern Cape in search of a banished Venda chief she was researching for a New Age story and during this time he got to know her as an exceptionally bright woman.

Turok concluded with a mention of the forthcoming ANC party policy conference he will be attending next week, issuing a caution against a narrow African nationalism that skews the party’s focus. Turok emphasised the importance for ANC to have a common idea about what they’re trying to achieve, a view both Luthuli and First held.

Liesl Jobson tweeted from the launch using #livebooks:

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Book details

• Voices of Liberation: Ruth First by Don Pinnock
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  EAN: 9780796923592
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• Voices of Liberation: Albert Luthuli by Gerald Pillay
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  EAN: 9780796923561
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