This book explores the role of social movements in the Southern African liberation struggle, through the lens of two 'everyday communists'. Focusing on the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), the author explores the lives of Ivan and Lesley Schermbrucker, whose contribution to the party was more clandestine than that of leaders such as Bram Fischer and Joe Slovo. They represent how 'ordinary' people could play significant roles based on stances more rooted in common decency and morality than in Marxist theory. The book also sheds light on the interplay between transnational and national tendencies during the liberation movement, particularly between the 1940s and the 1960s. The Schermbruckers changed their views in response to the shifting national and international political landscape, the rise of Stalinism, and the flight of South African activists into exile from the 1960s. Both fluent in African languages, they were able to create relationships of trust with African members ofthe CPSA. Examining tensions and conflicts during the liberation struggle, this book provides fresh insights into 'underground' activism. Alan Kirkaldy is Associate Professor and Head of the History Department at Rhodes University, South Africa. He has previously published works on the Kalk Bay fishing community and Venda history. Alan has lectured on African and environmental history since 1989. Much of his teaching has focused on liberation movements.

Autorentext

Alan Kirkaldy is Associate Professor and Head of the History Department at Rhodes University, South Africa. He has previously published works on the Kalk Bay fishing community and Venda history.  Alan has lectured on African and environmental history since 1989. Much of his teaching has focused on liberation movements.

Inhalt
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND AUTHOR'S NOTE CHAPTER 2 THE SOCIO-POLITICAL CONTEXT, FINDING COMMUNISM AND IVAN AND LESLEY'S EARLY YEARS

The CPSA/SACP, the ANC, Transnationalism and African Nationalism

Women in the Struggle    

A Sense of Rootedness: The Colonel      

The Rural Economy: Transkei and Zululand Traders     

Foundations of an Activist Ideology: Ivan's Childhood and Youth       

Radicalising Influences   

The Party's Paper: Work, the Move to the Guardian and funding the Party      

Lesley's Family and Youth         

Developing a Political Ideology and Establishing a Working Career     

Stalinism  

CHAPTER 3 PARTNERS IN ACTIVISM - IVAN AND LESLEY Life Partners and Struggle Partners         

Security Legislation, Repression and Financing the Guardian   

Growing in the Struggle  

CHAPTER 4:  TIGHTENING REPRESSION:  INCREASING INVOLVEMENT, SURVEILLANCE AND DETENTION

Security Legislation in the 1960S in context       On the Central Committee           

Funding the Revolution and Supporting its Captured Cadres      The State Cracks Down Becoming a Target, Detention and Torture   

Women Filling the Gap    Stayers vs Leavers in the Struggle           

Situation of the Left at this time   CHAPTER 5:  THE TRIAL OF BRAM FISCHER AND 13 OTHERS      

Awaiting Trial       The Accused        

The Trial Begins   Ivan's Defence and Cross-Examination  

Judgement and Sentence  Reflections on Activism Pre-Incarceration Letters      

CHAPTER 6:  WOMEN PICKING UP THE SPEAR   LESLEY'S INCREASING INVOLVEMENT, ARREST AND TRIAL         

Increasing Involvement, Further Arrests and Detentions, Clandestine Meetings, Party Funds and Hiding Bram Fischer        

Lesley's Arrest and Detention and Bram Fischer's Preliminary Hearing           

Those who gave State Evidence  

Tightening the Net Further Lelsey and Violet's Trial  

Caught in the Crossfire The Children   

CHAPTER 7:  PRISON LIFE            Politicals and Non-Politicals 

Ivan           A More Nationalist Focus     

The Routine of Prison Life     Lesley       

The Fort          Barberton        </p&...