Ruth First
By: Bobby Brockway
Description
Ruth First was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa. First was a journalist In the mid 20th century and played a key role in exploiting the unjust practices of the apartheid government. For example, First documented the poor working conditions of farmers in the Transvaal in 1947. She was extremely influential in many of the anti-apartheid movements of that time. In 1952, she supported the ANC and their Defiance Campaign. She later went on to help draft what would be written in the Freedom Charter. As a result of her strong opposition to the apartheid government, she had to serve 117 days in prison in 1963. However, even though she was caught at Rivonia, she did not serve any jail time for her actions taken at Rivonia. She was not involved in the Rivonia Trial on account that the government did not want a woman to be involved in the trial. After serving her time in prison, she left in exile with her family to go to England. She continued her fight against apartheid while in England. She helped promote her cause by becoming a lecturer at the University of Durham. In 1977, First was able to return to Africa to continue her fight against apartheid in Mozambique. She continued this fight until 1982 when she was killed by a bomb that came to her by way of mail.
First's involvement in the fight against apartheid illustrated how this movement was truly designed for everyone to take part. Her contributions to the anti-apartheid movement proved that apartheid would be fought by everyone in South Africa, not only the patriarchs of the society. While in Africa, she produced detailed journalism and analysis of the atrocities of the government which helped gain regional support for her cause. However, her time in exile proved to be beneficial as well. As a lecturer of apartheid at the University of Durham, First was able to raise global awareness and support on the issue. Ruth First embodied the fight to end apartheid in South Africa. Her successful life as a journalist would inspire future generations to continue the fight against apartheid in South Africa.
Ruth First
Works Cited
"Ruth First." Almanac of Famous People. Gale, 2011. Biography in Context. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
"Ruth First." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2002. Biography in Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
Ruth First Image
URL: http://www.quotationof.com/images/ruth-first-3.jpg
Ruth First Video:
"A Digital Archive of the Writing & Work of Anti-apartheid Activist & Scholar, Ruth First, Launched." YouTube. SABC Digital News, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
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