Hilda Bernstein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hilda Bernstein
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Lionel and Hilda Bernstein
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| Born |
Hilda Schwarz
15 May 1915 |
| Died | 8 September 2006 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | author, artist |
| Known for | Anti-apartheid activism |
Hilda Bernstein (15 May 1915 – 8 September 2006) was a writer, artist, and activist. She was born in Britain but moved to South Africa. There, she fought against apartheid, which was a system of unfair racial separation. She also worked for women's rights.
Hilda was born Hilda Schwarz in London, England. When she was 18, she moved to South Africa and became very active in politics. In 1941, she married another activist named Lionel "Rusty" Bernstein. Together, they played a big part in the fight to end apartheid in South Africa.
After her husband was tried in the Rivonia Trial in 1964, the government made their lives very difficult. They had to leave South Africa and went to Botswana. Hilda wrote about this difficult time in her 1967 book, The World that was Ours.
They lived in Britain for many years, where Hilda became well-known as a speaker, writer, and artist. In 1994, she and Rusty returned to South Africa for the country's first democratic election. In this election, their fellow activist Nelson Mandela became President. Hilda Bernstein passed away in Cape Town, South Africa, at the age of 91.
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Early Life and Moving to South Africa
Hilda Bernstein was born in London, England. Her parents, Simeon and Dora Schwarz, were Jewish immigrants from Russia. When Hilda was 10, her father, who was involved in politics, had to return to the Soviet Union. He could not come back to Britain.
After her father's death, Hilda left school to find work. At 18, she decided to move to South Africa. There, she started working in journalism.
Fighting for Fairness in South Africa
As unfair political ideas grew in Europe, Hilda joined the Labour Party in South Africa. However, this party did not focus enough on her concerns about apartheid. So, she left and joined the South African Communist Party. This was the only party in South Africa that did not separate people by race.
Hilda was very good at speaking and organizing. She used these skills on the party's local and national committees. Through her political work, she met Lionel "Rusty" Bernstein. They got married in March 1941.
In 1943, Hilda was elected to the city council of Johannesburg. At that time, only white people could vote for this position. She was the only Communist Party member to win a seat. For three years, she used her position to speak out against the unfairness of racism.
In the 1950s, Hilda focused more on organizing women. She helped start the Federation of South African Women in 1956. This group included women of all races. She also helped organize the famous Women's March to Pretoria. Her writings were often published in newspapers and magazines in South Africa and other countries.
The South African government tried to stop Hilda's activities from 1946 onwards. That year, she was found guilty of helping a strike by black mineworkers. In 1953, the government banned her from joining many organizations. In 1958, they also stopped her from writing or publishing anything.
In 1960, she was held by the police during a state of emergency. This happened after the Sharpeville massacre. Because of these actions, Hilda had to do her political work secretly.
In 1963, her husband Rusty was one of 19 African National Congress (ANC) leaders arrested. This happened in Rivonia, a suburb of Johannesburg. Rusty was found not guilty at the Rivonia Trial. However, he was soon arrested again and placed under house arrest. Hilda Bernstein had to escape from their home because the police were coming to arrest her too. They fled to Botswana, crossing the border on foot.
Life Away from Home
After leaving South Africa, the Bernsteins eventually settled in Britain. There, they continued to support the African National Congress. Hilda also used her writing and speaking skills to help the Anti-Apartheid Movement. She also supported the British peace movement. She gave many talks and wrote many articles in Europe, the United States, and Canada.
Hilda wrote several books. One of them, The World That Was Ours (1967), tells the story of their escape from South Africa. Her 1983 novel, Death is Part of the Process, was even made into a BBC television show. She also spent more time on her art. Her artwork was shown in many exhibitions and became part of many public and private collections. Her art was also used in many publications for the Anti-Apartheid Movement.
Returning to a New South Africa
Rusty and Hilda Bernstein returned to South Africa in 1994. They came back to take part in the South African election. This was the first democratic election where people of all races could vote. It marked the end of apartheid. They also saw their fellow ANC member Nelson Mandela become president.
In 1998, both Rusty and Hilda received special honorary degrees from the University of Natal. This was to recognize their important role in bringing democracy to South Africa. Rusty passed away at their home in 2002.
In 2004, Hilda was given the Luthuli Silver Award. This award recognized her "contribution to achieving equality for women and a free and democratic society" in South Africa. She passed away from heart failure at 91, at her home in Cape Town, South Africa. She was survived by her four children: Toni, Patrick, Frances, and Keith Bernstein.
In March 2011, the country of Gambia honored Hilda by putting her on a postage stamp. They named her one of the Legendary Heroes of Africa.
Published Works
- The World That Was Ours (Persephone Books, 1967. Reissued in 2009, ISBN: 978-1-906462-09-3)
- The Terrorism of Torture
- For Their Triumphs and for Their Tears: Women in Apartheid South Africa (Africa Fund, 1985, ISBN: 0-904759-58-X)
- Steve Biko (Victor Kamkin, 1978, ISBN: 0-904759-21-0)
- No. 46: Steve Biko (Victor Kamkin, 1978, ISBN: 0-317-36653-X)
- Death is Part of the Process (Sinclair Browne, 1983, ISBN: 0-86300-028-2)
- The Rift: The Exile Experience of South Africans
- A World of One's Own (reprinted as Separation, Corvo Books, ISBN: 0-9543255-2-4)
- The Trials of Nelson Mandela
See also
- List of people subject to banning orders under apartheid
