Helen Suzman

Helen Suzman became an MP in 1953, going on to serve for a further 36 years. For 13 of those years Helen was the sole Progressive MP in Parliament and for 6 years was the only female parliamentarian. She consistently challenged discriminatory legislation and the spate of security laws introduced by the Apartheid government.

Helen took it upon herself to be a voice for the millions of voiceless South Africans. She refused to be indifferent towards the injustice around her.

One of Helen’s most respected qualities was her unyielding belief in “going to see for yourself”. Armed with on the ground information and her articulate well reasoned arguments, Helen never got a fact wrong in her 36 years of Parliamentary debates and question sessions as an MP.

Helen helped where she could, raising the difficult issues when they needed to come to the fore. She worked tirelessly as a public servant and was able to help a great number of people in their troubles with the security services. Helen was a great public servant who put others needs before her own. It is to honour these values that the Foundation continues her life’s work.