Whilst reading Nelson Mandela’s book, “Conversations With Myself“, Ruth First popped up over and over again as a central pillar and voice of reason in the fight to free her country from oppression. She actually led quite an active professional life as an anti-apartheid activist, journalist, and author. She was born in Johannesburg in 1925 to Jewish immigrants from Latvia and studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she became involved in the anti-apartheid movement. In 1953, she married Joe Slovo, who would go on to become a leading figure in the African National Congress (ANC).

First was a prolific writer and journalist. She wrote for a number of publications, including the Johannesburg Star, the Guardian, and The New York Times. She was also the author of several books, including South West Africa: The Last Colony and 117 Days: An Account of Confinement and Interrogation Under the South African Security Law.

First was a fearless campaigner against apartheid. She was arrested and detained on numerous occasions, and she was banned from writing or publishing in South Africa for several years. In 1982, she was assassinated by a parcel bomb sent by the South African security forces. Her contributions to the national cause and the legacy she left behind should be remembered forever for humanity to learn from.

Her Books

First’s books were important contributions to the anti-apartheid movement. They exposed the brutality of apartheid and inspired others to fight for change. One of her most important books was 117 Days: An Account of Confinement and Interrogation Under the South African Security Law (1965) which was a memoir of First’s experiences being detained and interrogated by the South African security forces. The book was a powerful indictment of the apartheid system.

The book came about in 1963, when she was detained and interrogated by the South African security forces for 117 days. Her memoir of this experience, 117 Days, was published in 1965 and spread awareness about the illegal actions of the then government. It is a detailed account of First’s detention and interrogation. She describes the physical and psychological torture she was subjected to, as well as the attempts by the security forces to break her spirit. First also provides insights into the workings of the apartheid security apparatus. Here is an extract from her book:

“‘The detective who had me taken out of my cell on the first morning after my return to Marshall Square brought not a torture instrument, but a piece of bait. I was still in a state euphoria at being out of the numbing stagnation of Pretoria, though nagging away at my mind and my nerves was the knowledge that I now had only five days to go before the end of ninety days.”

The book is a powerful and disturbing read. It is a testament to First’s courage and resilience that she was able to survive her ordeal and write about it so honestly. 117 Days is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the brutality of apartheid and the courage of those who fought against it.

The Message of the Book

The message of 117 Days is clear: apartheid is a system of violence and oppression that must be dismantled. The book exposes the brutality of the apartheid security forces and the lengths they will go to to silence dissent. It also shows the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression.

The Impact of the Book

The book helped to raise awareness of the brutality of the apartheid system and inspired others to join the fight for freedom. It also helped to discredit the apartheid government and its claims to legitimacy. The book was banned in South Africa, but it was smuggled into the country and widely read by anti-apartheid activists. It also helped to raise awareness of the apartheid struggle internationally.

She also wrote two more brilliantly informative books which also aided the cause for freedom by spreading awareness and a different perspective to the one that the apartheid government portrayed.

No Easy Walk to Freedom (1965) was a biography of Nelson Mandela. The book was written with Mandela’s cooperation, and it provided a rare glimpse into the life of one of the most important figures in the anti-apartheid movement.
South West Africa: The Last Colony (1963) was a study of the history of South West Africa (now Namibia) and the struggle for independence. The book was banned in South Africa, but it was widely read and translated into several languages.

Her Time with Nelson Mandela

First met Nelson Mandela in 1953, and they quickly became friends. They worked together on a number of projects, including the Congress of Democrats, a non-racial political party. She was one of the few people who knew about Mandela’s plans to form the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC. She helped to smuggle weapons into South Africa for the MK, and she also provided financial support. In “Conversations With Myself”, Nelson Mandela describes her resilience, strength and unique way of looking at a person for what they are, with colour and other physical attributes making no difference to her. He also explains that they disagreed on certain occasions and that she stood her ground on her beliefs even against him.

When First was arrested in 1963 and charged with treason, Mandela had an advisory role in assisting her. She was acquitted, but she was banned from writing or publishing in South Africa. She and Mandela were both forced to go into exile in 1964.First and Mandela remained close friends throughout their exile. They worked together on a number of projects, including the journal Africa Today. First was a great source of support for Mandela during his time in prison.

Ruth First’s involvement in the anti-apartheid movement:

Congress of Democrats: First was a founding member of the Congress of Democrats (COD) in 1953. The COD was a non-racial political party that was committed to fighting apartheid. First served as the COD’s publicity secretary and its national chairman.
ANC: She also worked closely with the African National Congress (ANC). She was a member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee and its International Affairs Committee. First helped to smuggle weapons into South Africa for the ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK).
Achievements: Her work with the COD and the ANC helped to raise awareness of the apartheid system and to build support for the anti-apartheid movement. She also wrote several books and articles about apartheid, which helped to educate people about the brutality of the system.

Here are some of the specific things that Ruth First achieved for the ANC:

She helped to smuggle weapons into South Africa for the MK.
She provided financial support to the ANC.
She helped to organize international support for the ANC.
She wrote several books and articles about apartheid, which helped to educate people about the brutality of the system.

Federation of Progressive Students

Ruth First was a founding member of the Federation of Progressive Students (FPS) in 1946. The FPS was a multiracial student organization that was committed to fighting apartheid and promoting social justice. First served as the FPS’s first president, and she played a key role in shaping the organization’s goals and principles.

The FPS was a radical student organization that challenged the status quo. They campaigned against apartheid, racism, and sexism. They also campaigned for academic freedom and student rights. The FPS was a powerful force for change on South African campuses, and they helped to raise awareness of the injustices of apartheid.

First was a tireless advocate for the FPS’s causes. She spoke at rallies and demonstrations, and she wrote articles and pamphlets about the FPS’s work. She was also a frequent target of the apartheid government, and she was arrested and detained on numerous occasions.

Here are some of her contributions to help found the FPS:

She helped to draft the FPS’s constitution.
She recruited members for the FPS.
She organized FPS events and protests.
She spoke out against apartheid and racism.

Despite the challenges, the FPS continued to grow and thrive under First’s leadership. The FPS played a significant role in the anti-apartheid movement, and they helped to pave the way for the end of apartheid.

Her Assassination

Ruth First was assassinated on August 17, 1982, by a parcel bomb sent by the South African security forces. She was 57 years old. First’s death was a major blow to the anti-apartheid movement. She was a powerful voice for justice and equality, and her death was a reminder of the brutality of the apartheid system.

Her Legacy

Ruth First was a hero because she was a courageous and dedicated anti-apartheid activist. She made significant contributions to the struggle for freedom and justice in South Africa in a number of ways. She was also a great source of support for Mandela during his time in prison.

In 2003, the Ruth First Foundation was established to promote her legacy. The foundation supports research on apartheid and its legacies, and it also provides scholarships to students who are committed to social justice.

Ruth First was a true hero. She dedicated her life to fighting for freedom and justice in South Africa. She is remembered as a courageous and dedicated anti-apartheid activist and her books and her work as a journalist continue to inspire people around the world to this very day and hopefully be a symbol of strength in school books for many years to come.

Some of Ruth First’s Quotes

“Apartheid is a system of violence and oppression that must be dismantled.”
“The security forces will stop at nothing to silence dissent.”
“The resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression is one of the most powerful forces in the world.”
“The only way to defeat apartheid is to fight it with all our strength.”
“We must never give up hope.”
“The struggle for freedom is a long and difficult one, but it is a struggle that we must win.”
“We must never forget the victims of apartheid.”
“We must never forget the sacrifices that have been made in the struggle for freedom.”
“We must never forget the courage and determination of those who have fought for freedom.”
“We must never forget the hope that sustains us in the struggle for freedom.”

Learn More

Ruth First’s Influence on the Anti-Apartheid Movement