Struggle stalwart Mary Turok's legacy of courage and service

The political activist, who died last month, spent decades fighting apartheid, shaping South Africa's political landscape and advocating for marginalised communities. By Ivan Turok and Albie Sachs

- Ivan Turok and Albie Sachs

Struggle stalwart Mary Turok sadly passed away on 9 August after a short illness.

She was 92. Mary led a very full and varied life as a political activist, journalist, social worker, medical researcher, member of Parliament, campaigner for older persons, unstinting wife to Ben Turok and mother to their sons Fred, Ivan and Neil.

Mary Butcher was born in 1932 to upper-middle-class parents who were Christian Scientists. After a sheltered upbringing in Natal, she went to university in Cape Town in 1950 aged only 17.

The National Party had just come to power and was rolling out harsh and repressive laws. Mary's exposure to growing racism and social injustice, and her involvement in student life, were radicalising experiences, leading her to rebel against her establishment background.

Mary studied social work at the University of Cape Town with Becky Lan and Shulamit Derman. They would hang out together, and through these connections Mary joined the Modern Youth Society (MYS), which was aligned with the ANC and, for some of its members, the underground Communist Party. Other members included Denis Goldberg, Amy Thornton, Albie Sachs and Ben Turok.

Mary was sparky and bright. She loved the energy of rebellion and the spirit of breaking the mould, alongside the very serious mission to bring down apartheid. She never just went along with what was expected.

The Defiance Campaign Against Unjust Laws was launched in June 1952. It involved volunteers peacefully breaking apartheid laws, and led to more than 8,000 arrests in the first few months.

Marriage to Ben

Towards the end of 1953, Mary formed a relationship with Ben. Ben came from a completely different, Jewish background, but was secular and cosmopolitan. He was the shortest man in their circle and Mary was the tallest woman.