Ruth First Journalist, teacher and political activist Date of Birth: 04.05.1925 Country: Mozambique

1. Ruth First: Journalist, Educator, and Political Activist
2. Journalism and Activism
3. Writing and Research
4. Tragic Death and Legacy

Ruth First: Journalist, Educator, and Political Activist

Ruth First (May 4, 1925 – August 17, 1982) was a scholar, anti-apartheid activist, and journalist born in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was the daughter of Jewish immigrants Julius and Matilda First. Julius, a furniture manufacturer, was born in Latvia and moved to South Africa in 1906. He and his wife were among the founders of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA, later known as the South African Communist Party) in 1953. Ruth and her brother Ronald grew up in an environment where debates among representatives of different races were constantly taking place.

Journalism and Activism

In 1947, First briefly worked at the Johannesburg City Council but had to leave because she did not agree with the actions of the council. She then became the editor of the liberal weekly newspaper "The Guardian." As a journalist, she had access to valuable information, and her sharp articles on the unacceptable working conditions on potato farms in Bethal, the women's rebellious movement, migrant workers, bus boycotts, and slums remain some of the best examples of social and labor journalism of the 1950s.

Despite her public activism and wide range of contacts, First remained a private person. She had a brilliant mind and had no tolerance for foolishness. Her sharp criticism and intolerance for empty talk and noise made her enemies, and sometimes she even avoided political debates. However, she was not an uncompromising personality. Her willingness to take a reasonable position was not always welcomed by the African National Congress (ANC) or the South African Communist Party (SACP). Her shyness, anxieties, sensitivity, nobility, and love were met with disapproval, especially by those accustomed to seeing her assertively giving orders in various state-level situations. Among her friends, she was usually gentle and open. She enjoyed dressing well (her favorite shoes were Italian-made) and was an excellent cook. However, the contradictions between her role as a political activist and her role as a mother contributed to a tense atmosphere in her family, which later influenced the works of her daughter, Ruth.

Writing and Research

In the 1960s, First studied and prepared for publication works such as "The Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela (1967), "Peasant Uprisings" by Thabo Mbeki (1967), and "This is Not Yet Freedom" by Oginga Odinga. Together with Ronald Segal, she edited the book "South-West Africa: A Parody of Truth" (1967).

In 1977, First was appointed a professor and head of research at the Centre for African Studies at Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo, Mozambique. She focused on studying the lives of migrant workers, particularly those working in the gold mines of South Africa. The results of this research were published in the book "Black Gold: Mozambican Workers" (1983).

Tragic Death and Legacy

In 1982, First was killed by a parcel bomb sent to her. Her close friend Ronald Segal described her death as the "final act of censorship." The funeral of Ruth First in Maputo was attended by presidents, members of parliament, and ambassadors from 34 countries around the world.