South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg dies

Johannesburg, April 30

South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg has died at his residence close to Cape Town, aged 87.

Goldberg was a outstanding member of the now-ruling African National Congress and stood trial alongside Nelson Mandela. He spent 22 years in jail for his involvement with the ANC’s struggle towards apartheid, the racist system of oppression imposed by the white minority authorities.

When his fellow accused had been despatched to Robben Island, as a white prisoner Goldberg was separated from them and imprisoned within the capital, Pretoria.

Goldberg’s niece, Joy Noero, stated the liberation stalwart died peacefully Wednesday after having lung most cancers and diabetes.

Goldberg had continued his activism in post-apartheid South Africa and was a critic of former president Jacob Zuma, who stepped down in 2018 and faces a number of allegations of corruption.

Goldberg was a critic of the ANC’s efficiency in authorities and the socio-economic situations of the largely black poor majority in South Africa, one of many world’s’ most unequal international locations.

Tributes poured in Thursday for Goldberg, with many acknowledging the position he performed within the struggle towards apartheid.

“His commitment to ethical leadership was unflinching and even during his advanced age he formed part of the movement of veterans of the struggle calling for reassertion of moral center of society,” President Cyril Ramaphosa stated.

“We will hold him in our thoughts and prayers as we say farewell at a time when we are not allowed to gather in numbers to say our goodbyes.” “He was a member of a generation of leadership which shaped the country’s history in profound ways,” stated Nelson Mandela Foundation chief govt Sello Hatang.

The ANC additionally paid tribute to Goldberg, saying “his was a life well-lived in the struggle for freedom in SA. We will miss him.” — AP