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Durban 210911 Auther of the Jewish book for Barbra Cole (David) Pic terry Haywood

Durban 210911 Auther of the Jewish book for Barbra Cole (David) Pic terry Haywood

Published Oct 1, 2011

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Jewish Memories of Mandela

(South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the Umoja Foundation. Text by David Saks, R450)

The story of Nelson Mandela and the country’s transformation to democracy is one of the most inspiring of the 20th Century – and Jews played a disproportionately prominent role, a new book says.

However, it was crucial that Jewish Memories of Mandela was not seen as an exercise in collective bragging, author David Saks said

at the book’s launch at the Durban Holocaust Centre Gift Shop.

The reality is that the majority of Jews – as with the great majority of other whites – did not actively oppose apartheid. The book is therefore careful not to suggest that the positive role played by Jewish individuals in Mandela’s life and career is representatives of the Jewish community as a whole.

“Nevertheless, the fact that so disproportionately large numbers of Mandela’s friends, associates and fellow political activities were Jews is something South African Jewry can take pride in.”

The book is seen as a specifically Jewish contribution to promoting the Mandela legacy and also as a tribute to the role played by certain Jewish people in the country’s liberation.

“We believe that the example of those Jews who chose to go beyond their comfortable status as members of the privileged white minority caste and strived instead to do the right thing (often at great personal costs) on behalf of their fellow South Africans, can serve as an inspiration to current and future generations of Jews here and abroad.”

The first part of the coffee-table book is devoted to the people who played a big role in the Mandela story from 1940-1990 and the second part tells how Jewish South Africans were involved in the post-apartheid era of nation-building, and reconciliation.

Many have become famous names in the annals of South African history: Helen Suzman, Joe Slovo, Ali Bacher, Tony Leon, Sol Kerzner, Ruth First, Gill Marcus, Albie Sachs…

Saks, an acclaimed writer, journalist and editor, said that three years ago, the Jewish Board of Deputies had produced a commemorative booklet as a Jewish tribute to Mandela on his 90th birthday, which focused largely on the reminiscences of prominent Jewish South Africans who knew him over the years.

“So many amazing stories came through that people did not know about. But it was only the tip of the iceberg.”

Realising that there was so much more to tell, the SA Jewish Board of Deputies and the Umoja Foundation (run by Jewish businessmen to promote the preservation of South African history) decided to produce an illustrated history.

Saks was tasked to write the text and a picture researcher and designers were called in.

“No expense was spared: we wanted to produce a truly prestigious landmark book. We wanted the best possible photographs and many have never been seen before.”

As well as stories of major historical events, there are also stories “that give wonderful insights into Mandela the man”, Saks said.

It tells of Mandela’s interaction with ordinary people, including the boy who insisted on inviting President Mandela to his Barmitzvah in l996 – and how he came and danced.

Saks said that often when iconic people were scrutinised, their reputations diminish.

“Mandela’s just gets bigger.” – Barbara Cole

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