Just in: Rivonia Trialist Denis Goldberg dies at age 87

The anti-apartheid Denis Goldberg activist was one of the Rivonia Trialists who were convicted for treason by government in the early 1960s alongside Nelson Mandela.

“His family and the Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation are very sad to announce that Denis Goldberg passed away before midnight on Wednesday, 29 April 2020. He was a life well lived in the struggle for freedom in South Africa. We will miss him”, the Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation Trust said in a statement.

Early life of Denis Goldberg

Born in Cape Town on 11 April 1933, Goldberg’s activism dates back to his youth days in the 1950s.

He began his studies In Civil Engineering in 1950 at the University of Cape Town. It was only in his final year at the institution he would meet Esme Bodenstein. They paid later marry and have two children Hilary and David.

Activism in the struggle

In 1953, Goldberg joined Modern Youth Society, a discussion group he was introduced to by his wife. He served as treasurer and chairperson for the Congress of the People. The organization was aimed at “gathering and documenting the wishes of the people”. He was part of the group’s Cape Town committee, which did not sit well with the government.

He then joined the South African Communist Party (SACP).

Goldberg’s activism led to his dismissal on the South African Railways and in 1960 was sentenced to four  months in prison and declared a banned person.

In 1961, he, then 28 years old, joined the African National Congress’ (ANC) military wing, Umkhonto WeSizwe, where he was able to make use of his technical skills as an engineer (including devising weapons and explosive materials)

Rivonia Trial

However, his activism meant his family was a constant target. Bodenstein, herself a political activist, was subjected to solitary confinement in 1963 after Goldberg had been arrested and escaped before being recaptured.

Goldberg’s mother helped her daughter-in-law raise their two kids while they were in exile. It was in the same year (1963) that Goldberg and others (including Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki and Walter Sisulu) would be part of what is known today as the Rivonia Trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison – being released after serving 22 years.

After his release, he moved to London to join his family and also resumed working for the ANC at the party’s branch in the city until 1994. Bodenstein died in 2000 and moved back to South Africa in 2002 – later serving in government, including as a special advisor Water Affairs Minister Ronnie Kasrils in 2004.