Everyday Communists in South Africa's Liberation Struggle

This book explores the role of social movements in the Southern African liberation struggle, through the lens of two 'everyday communists'. Focusing on the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), the author explores the lives of Ivan and Lesley Schermbrucker, whose contribution to the party was more clandestine than that of leaders such as Bram Fischer and Joe Slovo. They represent how 'ordinary' people could play significant roles based on stances more rooted in common decency and morality than in Marxist theory. The book also sheds light on the interplay between transnational and national tendencies during the liberation movement, particularly between the 1940s and the 1960s. The Schermbruckers changed their views in response to the shifting national and international political landscape, the rise of Stalinism, and the flight of South African activists into exile from the 1960s. Both fluent in African languages, they were able to create relationships of trust with African members ofthe CPSA. Examining tensions and conflicts during the liberation struggle, this book provides fresh insights into 'underground' activism. Alan Kirkaldy is Associate Professor and Head of the History Department at Rhodes University, South Africa. He has previously published works on the Kalk Bay fishing community and Venda history. Alan has lectured on African and environmental history since 1989. Much of his teaching has focused on liberation movements.

Auteur

Alan Kirkaldy is Associate Professor and Head of the History Department at Rhodes University, South Africa. He has previously published works on the Kalk Bay fishing community and Venda history. Alan has lectured on African and environmental history since 1989. Much of his teaching has focused on liberation movements.

Contenu
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND AUTHOR'S NOTE CHAPTER 2 THE SOCIO-POLITICAL CONTEXT, FINDING COMMUNISM AND IVAN AND LESLEY'S EARLY YEARS

The CPSA/SACP, the ANC, Transnationalism and African Nationalism

Women in the Struggle

A Sense of Rootedness: The Colonel

The Rural Economy: Transkei and Zululand Traders

Foundations of an Activist Ideology: Ivan's Childhood and Youth

Radicalising Influences

The Party's Paper: Work, the Move to the Guardian and funding the Party

Lesley's Family and Youth

Developing a Political Ideology and Establishing a Working Career

Stalinism

CHAPTER 3 PARTNERS IN ACTIVISM - IVAN AND LESLEY Life Partners and Struggle Partners

Security Legislation, Repression and Financing the Guardian

Growing in the Struggle

CHAPTER 4: TIGHTENING REPRESSION: INCREASING INVOLVEMENT, SURVEILLANCE AND DETENTION

Security Legislation in the 1960S in context On the Central Committee

Funding the Revolution and Supporting its Captured Cadres The State Cracks Down Becoming a Target, Detention and Torture

Women Filling the Gap Stayers vs Leavers in the Struggle

Situation of the Left at this time CHAPTER 5: THE TRIAL OF BRAM FISCHER AND 13 OTHERS

Awaiting Trial The Accused

The Trial Begins Ivan's Defence and Cross-Examination

Judgement and Sentence Reflections on Activism Pre-Incarceration Letters

CHAPTER 6: WOMEN PICKING UP THE SPEAR LESLEY'S INCREASING INVOLVEMENT, ARREST AND TRIAL

Increasing Involvement, Further Arrests and Detentions, Clandestine Meetings, Party Funds and Hiding Bram Fischer

Lesley's Arrest and Detention and Bram Fischer's Preliminary Hearing

Those who gave State Evidence

Tightening the Net Further Lelsey and Violet's Trial

Caught in the Crossfire The Children

CHAPTER 7: PRISON LIFE Politicals and Non-Politicals

Ivan A More Nationalist Focus

The Routine of Prison Life Lesley

The Fort Barberton </p&...