Arthur Goldreich
Madeline Blake
Description
Arthur Goldreich was a very accomplished man with achievements starting at a very young age. In 1940, at age 11, he wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of South Africa in hopes that they would be taught Hebrew instead of German. The school he attended educated the students in German because they thought that the Nazis would win and take over. Goldreich was offended by this so he wrote the letter, and got his way. After World War II, Goldreich moved to Israel to help in its fight for independence. While he was in Israel, he learned fighting techniques that would later help in the anti-apartheid struggle. In 1954, Goldreich returned to South Africa to fight the apartheid. Along with providing fighting techniques, Arthur Goldreich lived on the farm, Liliesleaf, that helped Nelson Mandela hide from authorities. In 1963, police came to the farm and arrested the anti-apartheid men, including Goldreich. While in prison, Goldreich bribed a guard and escaped, never to be hunted down by authorities. He fled to Israel, where he finished out his life as an artist.
Significance
Arthur Goldreich played a key role towards the end of the anti-apartheid armed struggle. Goldreich was the owner of the farm, Liliesleaf, that served as the planning center for the MK. This farm also provided a place for Nelson Mandela to hide under the pseudonym, David Motsamayi. Without this farm, Nelson Mandela would have been imprisoned much sooner, and the ANC would have been severely weakened without the MK operations. With the help of Goldreich, the anti-apartheid struggle was able to continue even after the ANC was forced to go underground.
A Tribute to Arthur Goldreich
Refrences
"Arthur Goldreich." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.
"Arthur Goldreich." Jonas. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.
"A Tribute to Arthur Goldreich." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.
Martin, Douglas."Arthur Goldreich, a Leader of the Armed Fight to End Apartheid, Dies at
82." The New York Times. The New York Times, 26 May 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.