If This Be Treason (South African Treason Trial 1956-60)

Description

Flyleaf: "English-born Helen Joseph was Accused Number Two at the South African Treason trial. A teacher and a social worker, she had been uncon- cerned with politics all her life, and only became active in connection with the African National Congress as a result of what she learnt through her work of conditions of life among non-Europeans in South Africa. With many others she was arrested and charged with high treason, a capital offence, after Congress's declaration of its Freedom Charter in December, 1956. During the four-year trial which followed she was again arres- ted, this time under the Emergency Regulations which came into force after the Sharpeville massacre in March, 1960. She was then detained in gaol for five months, spending nineteen days of that time in solitary confinement, but apart from that being delivered to Court daily for the treason trial. Mrs Joseph's book gives a com- plete picture of the trial--of the absurdity of the Crown's case from the legal point of view, and of its tragic gravity in terms of rational humanity--but its core is the journal she kept during her detention after Sharpeville. This is a vivid, very personal document, all the more impressive for the warmth and lack of pretention with which it is written. From this central document the reader comes to know Mrs Joseph's personality and those of her fellow- accused--an inspiring experience." ~~~~ ''To us,' said Chief Luthuli, 'it is a painful thing and all along the African National Congress has taken a strong stand in claiming our rights to land. Being dispossessed of land is almost to be dispossessed of life itself.' --p46 ~~~~ 'By now it is known that Hannah [Stanton] may be deported at any time... She is distressed but wonderfully brave and calm, sweet and gentle, so loved and respected by all--by these women so different from her. All are Jewish except two, all are politically 'left', either now or formerly, and almost all of them are professed atheists....' --p.84 [File contains at end a 1963 letter from Christian Action / Defence and Aid Fund, Rev. Canon Collins, Amen Court, London EC4 acknowledging funds 'for the work we are doing'.] Foreword by Ex-Chief Albert Luthuli. Author's Note. BACKGROUND TO THE TREASON TRIAL. DIARY OF EVENTS. This Trial is Out of Date. After Sharpeville. The Accused Take Over. Queen's Guests, or QC's? After the Emergency. Postscript. PROFILES OF THE ACCUSED. APPENDIX A: Programme of Action of the African National Congress. APPENDIX B: The Freedom Charter.