Denis’s remarkable life of dedication to freedom

by John Stevenson

UNISON Scotland backed a book launch for old friend and anti-apartheid campaigner Denis Goldberg at Glasgow City Chambers in March.

“When I came here (Scotland) after being released from prison, my goodness, it was like being at home, of being enfolded by people wanting to help. Which is why I am here today”, Denis told the Sunday Herald on his visit to Glasgow.

Denis’s autobiography The Mission - A life for freedom in South Africa follows his early days in the ANC to being sentenced at the Rivonia Trials in 1964 with comrades which included Nelson Mandela, and Walter Sisulu.

Still referred to by Mandela as the ‘boy’ because he was the youngest, Denis had been technical officer for the ‘Spear of the Nation’.

Denis then writes of his 22 years in prison and his continuing camaigning for freedom in South Africa on the international stage after his release to exile in London.

He was a spokesperson for the ANC and also represented it at the Anti-Apartheid Committee of the United Nations.

Denis reflects on the close links with UNISON over the years and the with charity he set up in 1995 called ‘Community HEART’ now adminstered by UNISON member Isobel McVicar. As well as books for schools, the development charity also supports a Rape Crisis Centre.

He chronicles his return to South Africa in 2002 as a government adviser in and his ongoing work for freedom causes to the present day.

Denis’s book is an inspiring, humbling and in many ways historic read, cataloging the political and the personal victories, dilemmas and tragedies of a remarkable life of dedication to freedom.

Denis is a joy to be with. An infectious and cheeky sense of humour but also a quiet dignified certainty in his cause.

He told us it took the prison warders ‘years and years and years to respect us’. But with his certainty in the justice of his cause, you knew that he knew they eventually would.

As he told the Sunday Herald, he is not yet free. “I’m free to be free. I’m not free. To be free you have to advance the freedom of others and respect it. We’re not there yet.”

For more info see www.community-heart.org.uk.

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