The SAJBD was saddened to learn of the passing of our good friend Nic Wolpe, with whom we had many fruitful collaborations over the years. Following his return to South Africa after the unbanning of the ANC in 1990, Nic devoted himself to preserving and building upon the legacy of the anti-apartheid struggle, in whose ranks both of his parents, Harold and Ann-Marie, served with distinction. To this end, he founded and was the director of the Liliesleaf Trust, through which the former Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia, legendary underground headquarters of the ANC’s armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe during the early 1960s, became one of the country’s foremost centres of memory, heritage, research, and education. Among other plaudits earned, Nic was the recipient of a Knighthood of the First Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star from the King of Sweden for his contributions in the fields of human rights education and historical conservation, not only in South Africa but also abroad.
With Nic’s support and ready cooperation, the SAJBD was privileged to co-host a number of memorable events at Liliesleaf. Among others, these included a Freedom Seder and a panel
debate with Jewish anti-apartheid veterans exploring and commemorating aspects of Jewish participation in the liberation movement. We are grateful to him for enabling our community to be part of the legacy he established, for which the people of South Africa owe him an enduring debt of gratitude.
Our thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends.