Harry Schwarz

Harry Schwarz

Harry Heinz Schwarz (May 13, 1924 – February 5, 2010) was a South African lawyer, statesman and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid, who eventually served as the South African ambassador to the United States during the country’s transition to representative democracy. He was also a banker, businessmen and served as a defence lawyer in the Rivonia Trial.

Rivonia Trial

• My lord, one can perhaps be pardoned for saying that perhaps his (Jimmy Kantor) biggest crime, if it is a crime, is that he was a partner of Harold Wolpe, and that Harold Wolpe was his brother-in-law.

• My Lord, it is difficult to reply in a restrained fashion. My learned friend must not use words such as 'Communist' lightly, when he refers to Kantor. Kantor is not a Communist. My learned friend has used the tactics of McCarthyism in an endeavour to smear him. I think, with respect, my learned friend is allowing himself to run away with facts that are not there. His complaint in count one is not that they found files with evidence. Oh not, he says that we found files with nothing in them. Not in Kantor's office, but in the office of Wolpe. Then my learned friend that the practice had been ruined and liquidated Knator's practice, my lord, it is not Kantor. It is not Kantor! Why I say it is so difficult to be restrained, is that my learned friend has thrown in everything hat concerns every accused in this case, and says 'that is why I don't want Kantor to get bail'.
  • Jimmy Kantor in 'A healthy grave' (1967)

Parliament

• I make this appeal to Mr Botha: Show this statesmanship, show that at this time you will not allow our unity of purpose to overcome the real problems to be threatened.
  • During a speech to a protest in Cape Town City Hall, appealing for the Prime Minister to reconsider a bill that would heavily restrict press freedom.
  • The Argus, page 1-2, (1979) http://www.samedia.uovs.ac.za/cgi-bin/getpdf?id=2070660

• The National Party does not care about people, it only cares about power.
  • Rand Daily Mail, (2 February 1981)

• The mission must be adherence to and the advancement of the concept of a truly democratic political system and economic system which gives not only rights and opportunity but also security.
  • Cape Times (1 November 1989)

• Freedom is incomplete if it is exercised in poverty.
  • Harry Schwarz in 'Poverty Corrodes Freedom' (1993)

Sanctions and disinvestment from South Africa

• Morality is cheap when someone else is paying.
  • The Herald Times (1988) http://www.samedia.uovs.ac.za/cgi-bin/getpdf?id=1030957

• If we are going to have greater unemployment, if we are going to have more unrest, the chances of a negotiated settlement will be less and in a revolutionary situation the chances of a truly free democratic society emerging are reduced.'"
  • The Herald Times (1988) http://www.samedia.uovs.ac.za/cgi-bin/getpdf?id=1030957

Quotes about Schwarz

• Schwarz has not only been one of apartheid's most prominent opponents, but his ideas and the initiatives he had taken had played an important role in the development of the concept of a negotiated democracy in South Africa, based on the principles of freedom and justice. In this regard he is one of the conceptual and moral fathers of the new South Africa.
  • University of Stellenbosch upon presenting an Honorary Degree (1995). http://70.84.171.10/~etools/newsbrief/1995/news0923 Newsbrief]

• A champion of the poor.
  • Nelson Mandela quoted in 'On the Contrary: Leading the opposition in a democratic South Africa' by Tony Leon (2009).

• The quickest analytical mind in South African politics.
  • Business day, (1989).

• You’re the last person who will dictate to me!
  • Prime Minister P.W. Botha, House of Assembly, Parliament of South Africa.
  • The Argus, page 3, (12 June 1980) http://www.samedia.uovs.ac.za/cgi-bin/getpdf?id=1897581

• We developed a mutual respect for one another. Schwarz was an extremely able MP with a good financial brain, and a hard worker who could devastate National Party members in Parliament, especially Ministers of Finance, who feared his vigorous attacks. Like me, he could be unpleasant both in and out of the House.
  • Fellow opposition MP Helen Suzman, writing in 'In No Uncertain Times: A South African Memoir'. Suzman, Helen (1993). In No Uncertain Terms: A South African Memoir. Knopf. ISBN 10679409858 Template:Please check ISBN. 

Other

• To risk making predictions is rather presumptuous and unwise. If I’m wrong, it will never be forgotten. If I’m right, no one will remember.
  • Article in Finansies & Tegniek (1994)