Sad passing of anti-apartheid stalwart Max Coleman

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies is saddened by the passing of the renowned human rights activist and anti-apartheid stalwart Max Coleman. During the 1980s Mr Coleman, together with his wife Audrey and sons Keith, Neil and Colin, was extensively involved in opposing the repressive and unjust policies of the apartheid regime. In response to the detaining without trial of political dissidents, he and Audrey founded the Detainees’ Parents Support Committee, which provided food clothing and legal assistance to detainees under apartheid and grew to be a national movement.

Following South Africa’s transition to multiracial democracy in 1994, Mr Coleman continued to devote himself to furthering the aims and ideals of the freedom struggle, including as a commissioner on the SA Human Rights Commission. At its biennial conference on 25 November 2018, the SAJBD Gauteng Council honoured the Coleman family for its courageous opposition to the Apartheid regime during the 1980s as well as for the continuing contribution its members had made to strengthening democracy and furthering social justice in the post-apartheid era.

The SAJBD pays tribute to Max Coleman for the brave and principled part he played in bringing freedom to our country and extends its sincere condolences to his wife Audrey and the Coleman family.