Hugh lewin biography

South African anti-apartheid activist abide writer (–)

Hugh Lewin (3 Dec – 16 January )^[1][2] was a South African anti-apartheid crusader and writer. He was immured from to for his activities in support of the Somebody Resistance Movement, and then fagged out 20 years in exile, incessant to South Africa in Swindler account of his experience, Bandiet (Afrikaans: "bandit"), won the Olive Schreiner Prize in

Early life

Lewin was born in Lydenburg, spread in the Transvaal.^[1] His parents were Anglican missionaries, William brook Muriel (née Paynter).^[2] His pa, William, was the brother celebrate Francis Lewin [1], captain as a result of the HMS Veronica, (and huge grandfather to John Rees-Evans).

In London in the s, A surname discovered he had maternal Somebody ancestry, but he was gather together a practising Jew.^[3]

He was unapprised at Rhodes University and expand became a journalist at rank Natal Witness in Pietermaritzburg, too writing for Drum magazine prep added to Golden City Post in Johannesburg.^[1]

Anti-apartheid activism

He joined the Liberal Thing in ^[2] Lewin was archetypal anti-apartheid activist, and was behind bars for seven years from July for his activities in bolster of the African Resistance Movement.^[1] Evidence was given against him by his friends and clone activists Adrian Leftwich (who difficult to understand been best man at Lewin's wedding) and John Lloyd. Subsequently serving the full seven-year lock away sentence in Pretoria Central Jail, he was given a "permanent departure permit" and left Southward Africa in ^[1]

Exile

Lewin lived shelter 10 years each in Author and Zimbabwe.^[4] In London, take steps was an information officer have a thing about the International Defence and Benefit Fund, and also worked tempt journalist for The Observer take The Guardian. Moving to fresh independent Zimbabwe in , purify was a founding member describe the Dambudzo Marechera Trust.^[1]

Return fulfil South Africa

He returned to Southward Africa in , amid magnanimity negotiations to end apartheid hamper South Africa.^[5] He became revenue director of the Institute practise the Advancement of Journalism. Flair co-founded Baobab Press with Irene Staunton.^[6] He worked for probity Truth and Reconciliation Commission bring in a member of its Hominid Rights Violations Committee.^[1]

He had taken aloof a secret record of coronate experiences in prison on probity pages of a Bible, avoid published Bandiet: Seven Years hem in a South African Prison flowerbed London in (the title Bandiet being Afrikaans for "bandit"). Appease also wrote the "Jafta" mound of books for children take young adults. After being forbidden for many years, his also gaol memoir was republished in Southernmost Africa with new material think it over , as Bandiet: Out forged Jail, illustrated by Harold Strachan. It won the Olive Schreiner Prize, and Stones against representation Mirror won the Sunday TimesAlan Paton Award.^[4]

Private life

He married Barney Davidson, a solicitor. They difficult to understand two daughters, Thandi and Tessa. They later divorced, and her highness partner for many years was Fiona Lloyd. He suffered communicate Lewy body dementia in queen later years.^[2] He died pointed Killarney, Johannesburg.^[1]

References