Israel Goldblatt; Building Bridges. Namibian Nationalists Clemens Kapuuo, Hosea Kutako, Brendan Simbwaye, Samuel Witbooi
- Language: English
- 2010
- 138 pages
- Illustrations, maps, index
- Vol. 7
- ISBN 978-3-905758-16-0
- ISSN: 1660-9638
- eISBN 978-3-905758-45-0
- eISSN 2297-461X
Israel Goldblatt; Building Bridges. Namibian Nationalists Clemens Kapuuo, Hosea Kutako, Brendan Simbwaye, Samuel Witbooi
Windhoek in the early 1960s: the 34-year-old politician Clemens Kapuuo knocks at the door of the senior advocate Israel Goldblatt to solicit advice regarding the myriad of difficulties encountered by Africans daily under the apartheid regime. An unusual relationship and friendship develops, one that transcends the racial divide in this South African-governed Territory and will last for nearly 10 years.
Meeting in Goldblatt’s chambers, at his home and in the Old Location, other participants in the consultations included the veteran politician Chief Hosea Kutako and a group of younger nationalists, among them Rev. Bartholomews Karuaera and Levy Nganjone. Through Kapuuo, Goldblatt also met Kaptein Samuel Witbooi and counselled the long-term prisoner from Caprivi, Brendan Simbwaye.
Israel Goldblatt’s notes on these meetings were discovered after his death and form the core of this book. They are complemented by additional biographical information about his interlocutors, and annotations that place his notes in their historical and political context.
Illustrated with many photographs, this publication pays tribute to Israel Goldblatt and the Namibian nationalists who attempted to build bridges where apartheid entrenched racism and suspicion.
Who was Israel Goldblatt? An Introduction
I „A lonely voice from Namibia“: Israel Goldblatt and the South West Africa dispute
II Israel Goldblatt’s first encounters with Namibian nationalists
III „They should understand the system under which they are living“: Israel Goldblatt’s classes and lectures
IV „Completely distrustful of the Government“: providing legal advice and assistance
V „Growth of a Rumour“: settler society and the Security Police
VI Visiting the Old Location, collecting information about African history
VII „I act on my own responsibility“: Israel Goldblatt’s critics
VIII Editing Israel Goldblatt’s Notes
Annexes
I Letters
II Political Parties
III Biography of Chief Hosea Kutako
IV Interview Notes
V The Kasaona Case: Petition and Letter from Chiefs Hosea Kutako
and Samuel Witbooi