Helen Suzman

Suzman was elected to the South African Parliament as a member of the Progressive Party, which opposed apartheid. She became the sole parliamentary voice against the government's racial policies for over a decade.

For 13 years, Suzman was the only MP consistently opposing apartheid legislation. She used parliamentary privilege to question ministers, expose abuses, and advocate for the rights of non-white South Africans, often facing hostility from fellow MPs.

Suzman visited Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, becoming one of the few people allowed to see him. She reported on his conditions and helped maintain contact between political prisoners and the outside world.

Suzman was awarded the United Nations Human Rights Prize in recognition of her courageous opposition to apartheid. The award highlighted her international reputation as a symbol of resistance to racial oppression.

Suzman retired from Parliament after 36 years of service. By then, the anti-apartheid movement had grown, and she had mentored a new generation of opposition MPs. Her retirement marked the end of an era of lone parliamentary opposition.