Stamp issued to honour SA liberal icon Helen Suzman

THE legacy of icon of liberalism Helen Suzman will live on after the South African Post Office issued a stamp to commemorate her birthday.

Suzman, who died on New Year’s Day in 2009 aged 91, would have turned 100 on November 7. The stamp became available on that day.

She earned a special place in South Africa’s history for her feisty fight against the apartheid policies of the then ruling National Party.

The stamp sheet was de- signed by Rachel Ackermann of the SA Post Office, spokesperson Johan Kruger said, adding that Suzman’s life and achievements were being celebrated.

Kruger said the Post Office sent out requests annually for the public to submit proposals for stamps.

“The 100th birthday of Helen Suzman was submitted, and our stamp advisory committee accepted it in view of Ms Suzman’s contribution to the liberation of South Africa.”

The stamps sheet could be used as postage at a cost of R3.90 each. A limited number of 30 000 stamp sheets were printed.

In her youth, Suzman was aware of inequality based on religion, race and culture as her parents were Lithuanian Jews who had immigrated to South Africa to escape oppression.

She enrolled at Wits University, married cardiologist Moses Meyer Suzman and completed her degree in economics and economic history in 1940.

She became an MP in 1953 and served a further 36 years. For six years she was the only woman in a very patriarchal Parliament where she consistently challenged discriminatory legislation.