A3299-B4-2-2-5-002-jpeg - Historical Papers

Stockholm 18 June 1987
Hilda Bernstein
Old Hou s e F a r m
Do r s t o n e
Hertford
HR3 6BL
EN G L A N D
D e a r Hilda,
M y hu s b a n d H a n s H j a l t e and I are y o u r S w e d i s h p u b l i s h e r s of
D e a t h is P a r t of the P r o cess. T o g e t h e r w i t h V a g n P l e n g e in
C o p e n h a g e n we are r u n n i n g the S w e d i s h E o r l a g e t Hjulet.
We are v e r y glad that we h a v e got the o p p o r t u n i t y to w o r k w i t h
and to p u b l i s h y o u r book, w h i c h is v e r y w e l l written. V/e a p p r e c i a t e
y o u r cl e a r p o l i t i c a l l i n e in the novel,
the h i g h l i t e r a r y quality,
y o u r p o r t r a y s full w i t h n u a n c e s and of c o u r s e the h i g h e x c i t e m e n t to
the v e r y end.
The b o o k is n o w r e a d y t r a n s l a t e d by E v a M Alander, and she has
m a d e / v e r y good and a m b i t i o u s job. The p r i n t and the b o o k cover
are also m a d e and sent to S p e c i a l - T r y k k e r i e t in D e n m a r k . T h e y shall
print the bo o k s and m a k e t h e m r e a d y to this y e a r ' s B o o k & L i b r a r y
C o n v e n t i o n ii^-othenburg, A u g u s t 20 th - 23rd. A l l S c a n d i n a v i a n
p u b l i s h e r s w i l l be r e p r e s e n t e d at the fair this year.
Up to n o w we h a v e n ' t b e e n sure, if v/e should m a n a g e to m a k e y o u r
b o o k r e a d y for the fair. It w i l l be p r e s e n t e d to the Sv/edish pub l i c
at the fair - u n l e s s s o m e t h i n g u n e x p e c t e d h a p pens, w h i c h we r ea l l y
do n o t hope!
We have the p l e a s u r e to i n v i t e y o u to the B o o k & L i b r a r y Convention.
We r e a l l y h o p e that the time is c o n v e n i e n t to you. We w i l l pay y o u r
ticket f r o m L o n d o n to G o thenburg,
turn and return. In G o t h e n b u r g y o u
w i l l have a r o o m f o r y o u r s e l f in the h o u s e of U l l a Eors6n. She is a
l i b r a r i a n and she t r a n s l a t e s m o s t of our bo o k s for children. I and
m y f a m i l y are g ^ a g , to stay w i t h h e r fam i l y too. If y o u also w a n t
to vis i t Stockholm, I.Iadi G r a y has a r o o m for you.
P l e a s e let me k n o w soon if y o u should like to c o m e , a n d if y o u are
r e a d y to m a k e some s p e e c h e s at the f a i r or at some other m e e t i n g s that
m ay be a r r a n g e d by others. T h e n I w i l l c o n t a c t the S w e d i s h soli d a r i ty
o r g a n i s a t i o n a g a i n s t a p a r t h e i d call e d ISAK, I s o l a t e S o u t h A f r i c a
Committ6, and the N o r d i c A f r i c a Institute.
We are v e r y sorry that we h a v e n ' t b e e n able to p a y y o u for the
contract, and we m u s t a s k y o u for three m o t h m o r e of grace. In
3/
S e p t e m b e r we shall h a v e the p a A n g f r o m all S w e d i s h l i b r a r i e s o r d ering
y o u r book.
H j u l e t is just a small p u b l i s h i n g h o u s e - p u b l i s h i n g f i c t i o n f r o m
Africa, A s i a and L a t i n A m e r i c a . B u t H j u l e t has a good r e n o w n a m o n g
m a n y lib rarians. F o r m o s t of our bo o k s we also get a p r o d u c t i o n
support f r o m a c u l t u r a l state i n s t i t u t i o n called K u l t u r r & d e t - but
the m o n e y is paid a f t e r the b o o k is published.
B ut lets r e t u r n to D e a t h is P a r t of the Processi
It has b e e n qui t e a p r o b l e m for us to find a s u t ible S w e d i s h titel.
The E n g l i s h titel is excellent, but t r a n s l a t e d into S w e d i s h it sounds
quite dull. F i n a l l y we have d e c i d e d to use Eva ' s s u g g e s t e d title:
D e a t h c a n n o t stop us, as y o u d i d n ' t m i n d it. It s o u n d s quite strong,
and our d e s i g n e r P i a F o r s b e r g has tried to m a k e a b o o k co v e r that
c o r r e s p o n d s to that title.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y I c a n n o t show y o u the b e a u t i f u l c o l o u r s of the cover.
In this l e t t e r y o u w i l l find a b l a c k - a n d v/hite c o p y of the front
piqture. B u t I w i l l try to d e s c r i b e it: The sky is in the c o l o u r s of
A N C - gr e e n frame, b l a c k l e t t e r s and y e l l o w b a ckground. Y o u r n a m e is
on a red plate. These c o l o u r s are a l s o on the b a c k of the cover.
U n d e r the title y o u can see s t y lized f l a m e s ^ i n C l a c k and a m a n (inares)
in black. The b a c k g r o u n d is in r e d d i s h yell o w . O n the b a c k of the cover
h ave a text c o r r e s p o n d i n g to the piqture. It is a q u o t a t i o n f r o m
y o u r book, p a g e 98-99, s t a r t i n g with: "He lit a c i g a r e t t e . . ."and
e n d i n g w i t h "the w h o l e city w e r e on fire.". T h e n comes some general
wo r d s on the b o o k and a b o u t you.
F o r the c o v e r flaps M a d i G-ray has w r i t t e n a v e r y p e r s o n a l and
p o l i t i c l y i n t e r e s t i n g a r t i c l e a b o u t you. Th e r e y o u w i l l a l s o find a
photo on y o u tak e n by Madi.
I m u s t also a s k y o u if it's O K for y o u that we p u b l i s h h a l f a chapter
f r o m y o u r b o o k in a S w e d i s h s o c i a l i s t m a g a z i n e cal l e d K o m mentar. It
is a "third w o r l d " magazine,
s t a rted in -68 and n o t b e l o n g i n g to any
p o l i t i c a l party. I a m one of the editors and we should like to m a k e
y o u r b o o k k n o w n to our r e a d e r s by p u b l i s h i n g the end of the c h a p t e r
Indres and Sipho...
P l e a s e let us h e a r f r o m y o u soonl
Our w a r m e s t regards,
22/6/87
Dear Eva,
It was a great pleasure for me to receive your friendly letter,
especially as you say such nice things about the book. This is
what every writer longs to hear!
I am happy to accept your invitation to attend the Book and
Library Convention in Gothenburg. I will make any speeches
you wish, and if the anti-apartheid organisations in Sweden
can make use of my visit, I hope that they will do so. I really
don't mind public speaking, having been doing it from time to
time for the past 45 years 8or so - sometimes I actually enjoy it.
I have no objection to Kommentar publishing an extract from the
book. . I also do not mind waiting for payment, and
understand your position. Let's hope that there are a lot of
orders, and you may even make a profit.
I think the cover looks very dramatic.
How good it is to have friends in different parts of the world I am sure that Madi has been more than generous in her small
'biography'. I shall write to her, and hope to see her when
in Sweden in August.
If you are in contact with any women's organisations, or with
women's courses at the University, they might also, if they
wished, make use of my visit. The women's book was published
by Forlaget Barrikaden in 1978, although there has not been
a publication of the new, largely re-written, edition, but
there amy be women familiar with the book.
I look forward to meeting you all in August.
My very best wishes
Stockholm 311 July 1987
Dear Hilda,
Thank you very much for your kind letter. We are really glad
that you can come and join us at the Book and Library Con­
vention in Gothenburg. There also seem to be a great interest
here in your book.
Yesterday I called "Bibliotekstjanst", which is the organ
that sell and distribute all books to the libraries. Before
having their orders they send out book-reviews made by
different readers. And they told me that they had got a very
positive review on your book. This is very important, as the
Biblifrtekstjanst is our biggest buyer.
The program for you during the convention is not yet
completed. The convention starts on August the 20th with
two'days only for professionals} librarians, booksellers etc.
The 22nd and 23rd are also open for the public.
We should appreciate iif you could arrive sometime
in the
afternoon on the 20th to be able to take part in the convention
on the 21'rd. Is that convenient to you?
We will buy a flight ticket for you with the scedule:
London - Gothenburg - Stockholm - London and ask the travelagency to send it to you.
Hans will meet you at the airport with our red Fiat-bus.
Your address in Gothenburg iss
Ulla Fors6n
Phone 031-24 52 711
Nordenskioldsgatan 19
__________
And now back to the program:
Friday
211:—
—
Hilda B.. signs her novel in Hjulet's exhibition case.. Time not fixed.
Saturday 22:
At Speakers Corner: Hilda B : ^ J J | P ‘
esistance against apiartheid in
South Afrika" (a 20) min. speech" ) at 2p.m.
Hilda B. signs her novel in Hjulet's ex. case at 2.30 - 4.-30 p.m.
Sunday 23:
The convention has it's own conference program and on Sunday
there will be a meeting called: "What can we do for the
persecuted writers?" Following persons will take part en in
the discussion at the podium;
Miichael Holrayd, chairman of the Brittish PEN
Thomas von Vegesack, chairman of the Swedish PEN
Per Wastberg, vice chairman
11
"
Gunnel Enby, who is responsible for the program, suggefbged that
you should take part in this meeting. But it is not decided yet
as I have to discuss it with Thomas von Vegesack first.
We might also arrange a press-conference at the convention,
where the journalists can put questions to you.
I have also been in contact with TV, and I hope they will! make
an interview with you.
There are many people who want to meet*you, so I really hope
you have time to continue to Stockholm after the convention.
I have already arranged different meetings from Monday 24th
until Thursday 27nd. Is that OK for yoru? When do you want
to go home? As I mentioned before Mady has a room for you
and I will help you to find your way to the different meetings.
Here is your program:
Friday 21 or Saturday 22:
Meeting with the Africa Group of Gothenburg (llocalL solidarity
group) in the evening.
Monday 24:
Public meeting
in the "Solidarity House11 in Stockholm,
topic of the meeting not decided. What do you suggest?
I suggested:"The development since the 1950th of the resistance
struggle in South Africa". Arranging the meeting are: The Africa
Group of Stockholm and the Association for Questions of Development
(an organisation linked to SIDA, The Swedish International
Development Athority) The meeting will be held in the evening,.
Tuesday 25:
Ann-Marie Gustafsson, editor of The Africa Bulletin (organ
for The Africa Groups in Sweden) will make an interview with
you,
Wednesday 26:
Seminar The Scandinavian Institute of African Studies (se letter
from Thomas Ridaeus in Uppsala)
Thursday 27:
An informal meeting with The Region Secretariat for South
Africa at Sida. (Sida isthe state organ that grants aid too
developing countries and organisations. At Sida they have a
special group for South Afrisa and one person handling ANCquestion: Elisabeth Dalin.) At 11 a.m.
Responsable for this meeting is Lena Johansson.- She wanted to
know, "how you judge the development in South Africa'.'
Well* thats all up to now. You suggested me to contact with
some woman's organisations or with women's courses at the
University. But the problem is that this week many people return
from summer hollidays and therefore it can be difficult for
the organisations to gather people to meetings.
Some women's organisations might be interested in more
informal gatherings with yoxu What do you think about that?
Please let me soon have your opinions about all this.
We are looking forward to see you in GothenburgI
Our very best wishes,
Eva Brita Jarnefors
Forlaget HJULET
Lyckselevagen 100
162 25 VALLINGBY
Tel 08-739 11 41
Stockholm 9 August 1987
Dear Hilda,
»
0
I am very glad that you take your time to stay here in Sweden
for about a week* Many people, who are active in the solidarity
work for ANC, Mocambique, Angola etc will come and listen to
you - we hope. And knowledge, deep knowledge, is very essential
for a lasting solidarity work.
By now you should have recieved your flight-ticket London Gothenburg. We sent it to you three days ago.
When you arrive at Gotheburg airport Hans will meet you at the
customs. He usually has a beige jacket and blue jeans. He has
brown eyes,dark-blond hair and looks nice. And he will bring
you to Ulla's house and your room.
Since my last letter some more arrangements for you have been
fixed.
Thomas von Vegesack, chairman of the Swedish PEN-club, called
me and said that he and Per Wastberg, vice chairman of the
international PEN, invited you for their meeting at the convention
"What can we
do for the persecuted writers?"
They ask you to make a 15 to 20 minutes speech on: What does it
mean for an author to be imprisoned? They want you to tell the
audience as concretely as possible about your own and others
experiences.
The meeting is on Sunday 23rd at 11.30 - 13.00. Per will open
the meeting, and then will Thomas and Michael Holr»yd speek.
And you, the representative of the authors, will finish the
meeting.
Hope this is OK for you?
The Africa Group in Gothenburg has now decieded to arrange a
meeting with you on Friday evening the 21rd. To the meeting
they will invite some other groups thfty have contacts with.
You are free to choose the topic for the meeting.
A jy
We have also got a formal invitation/the Association for
Questions of Development (see yellow paper). They arrange
the meeting in Stockholn on Monday 24th at 7 p.m. in the
"Solidarity House" together with the Africa Group of Stockholm
and the Committe for Isolating South Africa. You are also
for this meeting quite free to choose the topic. In their
paper they just say that you are going to tell about your book.
We intend not to have any press-conference at the convention,
but on Friday morning at 9 o'clock we will invite the interested
journalists to meet you in Hjulet's exhibition case.
Well, that's all for this time. I will make a more readable
program for you to have in Sweden.
I also hope that you agree with all these arrangements. Please
let us know if you are not satisfied or if you wonders about
something.
Have a nice trip to Gotheburg!
Our best wishes to you and your husband,
Eva Brita Jarnefors
Forlaget HJULET
Lyckselevdgen 100
162 25 V A IL IN G B Y
Tel 08-739 11 41
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TILLSAMMANS MED ISOLERA SYDAFRIKAKOMMITTEN
STOCKHOLMS AFRIKAGRUPP OCH FORLAGET HJULET
ANORDNAR FUF ETT MOTE MED FORFATTARINNAN
HILDA BERNSTEIN
Hilda Bernstein ar fodd i London. Aven nu bor och skriver hon i London,
men hon har levt ca trettio ar av sitt liv i Sydafrika. Dar arbetade hon
aktivt inom radikala politiska organisationer for de svartas rattigheter och
for kvinnans rattigheter. I Sydafrika borjade hon sin forfattarbana, men
tvingadesl% 4 att, tillsammans med sin man, lamna landet.
Hon har skrivit en sjalvbiografi: The World That Was OurA 1967), en studie
av politiska rattegangar och tortyr i Sydafrika kallad The Terrorism of
Torture (1977), en rapport om kvinnor under apartheid: For Their
Triumphs and For Their Tears (1978). Steve Biko\ 1978)samt Death is Part
of the Process som handlar om motstandskampen i borjan av 60-talet och
med vilken hon fatt det engelska priset SINCLAIR PRIZE FOR FICTION. Den
boken foreligger nu i svensk oversattning med titeln Doden kan inte hindra
OSS.
Kom och lyssna till HILDA BERNSTEIN nar hon bl a berattar om boken
Doden Aan inte hindra oss
MANDAGEN DEN 24 AUGUSTI
KL 19.00
I SOLIDARITETSHUSET, BARNANGSGATAN 23
EMLAST TAR DU BUSS 46 FRAN SLUSSEN OCH AKER TILL
ANDHALLPLATSEN. FORTSATT GA I SAMMA RIKTNING SOM BUSSEN,
SVANG IN PA BARNANGSGATAN OCH GA DEN SA LANGT DU KAN. DAR SER
DU "23" PA EN STOR GRIND. GA TILL HUSET LANGST BORT TILL VANSTER.
HAR DU NAGOT ATT FRAGA OM SA RING FUFs KANSLI, TEL. 08 - 34 88 92
ELLER LOTTA JONSSON PA ISAK, TEL. 08 - 40 18 55.
M
M
Foreningen for Utvecklingsfr&gor. Tegnergatan 34 nb. 1 13 59 STOCKHOLM, Tel. 08 - 34 8S 92
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D44248
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Var vanlig fyll i ko rte t fullstandigt och lamna in i kassan.
TEXTATACK!
N am n
A d re ss
P ostadress
Jag representerar:
□ Bib liotek
□ U tb ild n in g
□ O v r ig t (spec, nedan)
□ B okha n de l
□ Forlag
SJ lam nar 3 0 % rabatt u nd e r to rsd a g 2 0 / 8 -so n d a g 23/8 1987
p& gallande n orm a l- och lig p ris pS t&gresa m o t uppvisande
av detta inb jud n in gskort. Rabatten dras d ire kt vid in k o p av
fardbiljett p^ SJs inkopsstallen. Rabatt fo r Sterresan m edges
endast o m biljetten b okas sam tidigt m ed biljett fo r fram re san. B usstransfer f r in G o t e b o rg s C en tral till M assan i anslutn in g till de C ity-expresst& g so m a n k o m m e r kl 0 9 .5 8 och
10.51.
-------------------------------------------------□ Skicka mig k o n fere nsp ro gra m m et fo r B O K & B IB LIO TE K ’ 87
Postadress
Skickas till Sve nska Massan, B o x 52 2 2 , 4 0 2 24 G oteb o rg.
j
VALKOMMEN TILL
GO TEBO RG
Med tag - SJ rabatt
SJ lamnar 30% rabatt p i
gallande norm al- och lig pris p i tigresa m o t uppvisande av detta inbjudningskort. Rabatten dras
av d ire k t vid inkop av
fa rd b ilje tt p i SJs inkopsstallen. Rabatt fo r ite rre san medges endast om biljetten bokas samtidigt
med b ilje tt fo r framresan.
Busstransfer d ire k t till
Massan i anslutning till
cityexpresstag som
ankom m er kl 9.58 och
10.51.
Med tag utan
busstranfer
Valj mellan taxi och sp irvagn. Taxistationen finns
vid s p ir 1 och sparvagn
vid Brunnsparken. Frin
Centralstationen ar det ca
5 min promenad vid
Nordstan till Fredsgatan/
Brunnsparken, dar Du
kan ta spirvagn 4 eller 5
till Korsvagen.
S4S
officiell carrier
Tag SAS Limousinservice
eller flygbuss till Kors­
vagen.
Med buss
SJ-bussarna f r in Boris och
Kungsbacka stannar vid
Korsvagen. Ovriga bussar
stannar p i Nils Ericssons
platsen vid C entralstatio­
nen. I ovrig t, se ” Med tig
utan busstransfer” .
Med bil
Narmaste parkeringsplats
ar Focus parkeringshus
m itt em ot massan, samt
utanfor Liseberg. Avfart
s k e rfrin E6:an vid ” Massan, Scandinavium, Liseberg” .
3/9/87
Dear Eva Brita,
Here I am, hone, with a million things to do, and good memories of
the visit to Sweden. I want to thank you and Hans for arranging
the visit, and for the opportunities I had for speaking at so
sqpa many meetings.
I suppose I had assumed when I went to Sweden that you had made some
arrangement with my agent, whose address is:
Paul Marsh
Marsh & Sheil Ltd,
43 Doughty Street,
London, WC1N 2LF
I havent been in touch with him, nor informed hiSm that the book
is actually out in Sweden, but I think it would be better if you
send the contract direct to him, as he will expect to deal with
it.
Regarding extra expenses to and from my home, as Hans gave me some
money, it would more than cover them, and do you wish to deduct
that or not. Also, I received some money from the Institute of African
Studies in Uppsala, so do not really need anything in addition.
If you wish to receive details of the expenses for your records,
let me know.
It was really good to meet you, Hans, Ulla and Bosse, as well as
so many other hospitable people.
My love
Vallingby 87 10 07
o f
Dear Hilda,
V
Thank you very much for visiting us!' We will always remember your
kindness, your devotedness to the South African revolution and your
political strength. Especially Hanna was very impressed that-you
in spite of your age were so active during your visit.
Thank you also for your letterl
I have written to Paul:Marsh
and suggested the same agreement as we once made with ^Jficlair
Browne Ltd. He also got a copy of "Doden kan inte hindra oss".
Regarding the money Hans gave you we do not wish to deduct them
and we do not need any details of your expenses.
Since you left there have been two more articles in local news­
papers about you.
In Helsingborgs Dagblad (publ. in the South) Soren Sommelius
makes a very good report of your speech at "Speakers corner".
The headline goes: -Not only a spectator, accessory to what
happens in South Africa.
Except the report of your speech Soren Sommelius makes some
personal reflections:
"The South African white author Hilda Bernstein talks with a
glowing engagement at the book convention in Gothenburg. But
floor of the platform to underline
the importance of her words. She is a 55 years old woman with
silver coloured hair and with a plain look, but with avj,inner
glow
which makes that the meeting with
things that makes the very deepest impression you during the
days of convention, where so many words are sleek-haired,
well-waved and perfumed."
(Please let me know if you need a translation of the whole text.)
In Lanstidningen (publ. in Ostersund, North of Sweden) Lo Rindberg
makes a general report from the convention. The headline goes:
"A very unique book convention with impressive ambitions"
The article starts with:
"To the introducing press-conference at the first day of the
Book and Library convention in Gothenburg 348 (!) journalists
are comming, from all nordic countries.Today there will not be
many arrangements - including the big sport contests - that are
able to attract such a crowd of massmedia representatives..
If one can take this as a measure of the interest for
literature
and culture in general, then it is to say the least impressive. But
here you can see the big litterary elephants dance for the
delighted audience.
John Updike, Iris Murdoch, Jean Auel and Hilda Bernstein appear
together for example in an relaxed question time...'1
Caption: "The big literary elephants danced for a delighted audience
at this year's Book & Library Convention in Gothenburg. Already at
the first day's morning for example this quartet of world-famous
authors were presented at a common questioning, from the left
Hilda Bernstein..."
I thought that this newspaper had a nice photo from the pressconferencej so I ordered a copy for you and one for Hjulet.
Every day, when the mail is distributed, we hope to find a book-review
on your book, finally we got one last week. And it was a very
positive book-review published in Goteborgs-Posten (the biggest
morning paper in Gothenburg). It is written by Ingrid Segerstedt
Wiberg, a former member of the parliament for the liberal party
and a well-known and r e j e c t e d fighter for human rights. She was
very active in helping refugees from the nazi-regime in Germany
and today she is a spokes-man for the political refugees comming
to
Sweden.
Madi Gray has made a translation into English of this book-review
for you. Both the article and the translation is enclosed in this
letter..
I should add that Ingrid Segerstedt Wiberg attended at the PEN
Club meeting and after that came to our stand to have a copy of
your book.
Enclosed in this letter is also that issue of Kommentar, where we
have published half a chapter from your book. The headline goes:
"The first attack" and the introduction says:
"The back-ground of today's broad resistance against the regime in
South Africa can be found in the small groups of resistance that
during the 1960th took the step from passive to active resistance.
The white author and ANC-member Hilda Bernstein describes in her
novel "Dijden..." how the armed struggle was started. Here we
reproduce one part, where two of the principal characters of the
novel, Sipho and Indres, make their first attack against a rail-way..."
All for this time! Our warmest regards to you and your family!
Love and respect,
Goksby, Sweden, April 14, 1987
Hilda Bernstein
Old House Farm
Dorstone
Hereford HR3 6BL
England
Dear Hilda Bernstein,
I am a translator and I have been living with your novel
Death is part of the process for the last few months. I
just love it. It is exciting throughout the book and
everytime I come to the part where the police is about to
arrest Thabo I do hope he shall get away. He must get
away!
I also like it a lot because I think it explains part of
the background and realities of today in South Africa. For
me, this work is a new aproach to the South African
problem.
I have been a member of Amnesty International for many
years. Some of these years I have been working at the
Swedish Secretariat in Stockholm. Among other things I have
prepared some material concerning South Africa for
campaigns etc., though my field of work is Latin America. I
think AI works the same way as you do with your novel showing individual cases to make people feel and understand
the consequences of political restrictions.
N ow you know someting about me, the one that has been
entrusted with our writing. I am also a mother of two boys,
1 year and 5 years old. I live in the countryside north of
Stockholm.
A month ago I met with your friend Mandy Gray at her
apartment in Stockholm. She was very helpful, I needed
certain words to be explained. She sends her love to you.
There are still some questions that I have to ask you
about. You have to forgive my ignorance:
page 35
Condy's Crystals - a well-known trademark?
74
Who is Grivas?
103
Fucik and Alleg - is that a well-known
cartoon? Please explain what kind of story
or comic strip or whatever it is.
134
cork (cigarrette). Is that really the
material cork (instead of filter?)?
189
khelim - what kind of carpet is that?
I would be grateful if you could answer as soon as
possible as I am about to finish the translation.
There is one more question: the title. I have suggested
Doden kan inte hindra oss (Death is no hindrance to us) to
Eva-Brita at the swedish editorial. In swedish it may be
interpreted as We shall go on fighting until the very end
and moreover If we d ie new ones will continue our w o r k .
What is your opinion, do you think you would accept that?
I hope to hear from you soon.
My very best wishes,
Eva M Alander
Goksby 611
S-740 61 TOBO
Sweden
i
23 April 87
Dear Eva,
It was good to get your letter and establish a relationship with the one
who has my novel in her hands! First, to answer your questions:
1. P 35. Condy's crystals is (are) potassium pomanganate, dark purple
crystalline solids used as a bleach, disinfectant and antisceptic.
It has a chemical formula KMn04. I am sure you will be able to trace
the Swedish name for this.
2. P 74. Grivas was a hero of the Greek resistance who was murdered by
the Greek Colonels. A wonderful film about him was made, called 'X'.
If you think his name is meaningless to people in Sweden, you could
omit 'Grivas, the Israelis', putting a full stop after 'worked.'
3. P 103. Fucik and Alleg: Julius Fucik was a hero of the Czech antiNazi resistance who, before he was tortured to death, smuggled out of
prison moving testaments to his faith in a better world. Henri Alleg
was a Frenchman who associated himself with the struggle for freedom
from France for the Algerians, and was imprisoned and terribly tortured
for this, without giving in to his persecutors.
It seems to me that the sentence could be adapted to read:
Steeped in the legends of heroes of war-time and anti-fascist resistance,
such as Fucik and Alleg . . .
or alternatively, if you think the names are confusing, omit 'such as
F A A . . . '
4. P 134. Yes, that is actual cork, that was used to tip the cigarettes
for those who did not want an actual filter.
5. P 189. A khelim is a type of rug from Persia and the Middle East
which is woven - that is, without a pile. It is used in place of origin
as bed-coverings and wal1-hangings, but became fashionable in modern
homes because of the brilliant colours. Omit 'and a khelim' if this
presents any difficulties.
As to the title, the suggestions that I made to Forlaget Hjulet for the
Danish edition were as followsd
DE1SH BEFORE THE STORM.
DEATH IS NOT THE END
THE SABOTEURS
STORM OVER AFRICA
DEATH IS THE BEGINNING
THE CLOUDS BEFORE THE STORM
THOSE WHO MUST DIE.
I personally like the first, Death before the storm. But if you wish to
have your own suggestion, I would not oppose it, as I do not know how
it sounds in Swedish.
I am pleased you met Madi Gray - now I must write to her. If you are
interested, she can lend you a book I wrote about South African women,
FOR THEIR TRIUMPHS AND THEIR TEARS. EWH which I think is woth while!
Thank you for telling me about yourself. I am an old woman, with four
children and five grandchildren. I am also an artist. Therefore I have
a very busy life. It is difficult to work when the children are as young
as yours, but I know that provision for small children is better in
Sweden than in England, which is very backward innthis respect.
With all good wishes
i
Translations of selected parts of reviews of the Swedish
edition of Death is p a rt o f the process
Doden kan in te hindra oss
by Madi Gray, June 1988.
DagensNyheter, Tues 26th Jan 88. Largest morning newspaper in Sweden.
Circulation 420,000 copies. Liberal.
Two n o v e ls about South A fric a
Closeness with impartiality
... Hilda Bernstein's Death is p a rt o f the p ro c e ss and Mark
Mathabane's K a ffir B o y present penetrating portrayals of the struggle
for survival amongst black South Africans....
In Hilda Bernstein's novel, based on her own experiences, the year is 1960.
After the Sharpeville massacre the ANC enters a period of bloodless
sabotage, at the same time as it prepares to build a military wing, The
Spear of the Nation....
The police follow the saboteurs all the time. One after another, the
members of the group are caught, interrogated and tortured. The barely
endurable torture scenes are portrayed by Hilda Bernstein as though she,
herself, were in the room.
She writes with a combination of nearness and impartiality, a dual effect
which is related to her life story....
There is no depth sounding of apartheid, but the writer has a keen eye for
the different experiences and motives of black, white and brown opponents
of apartheid. People are representative, without losing their identities....
"Kaffir boy" is quick (easy to read?) but sloppily translated, filled with an
incorrect choice of words and clumsy grammatical constructions....
JORQEN ERIKSSON
Cultural editor, DN.
2
Veckans Aff3rer, No 1/2 13th Jan 88. Sweden's largest business magazine.
Circulation 47 000 copies.
Businessmen turn with the wind
Even though the flow of news from South A frica has almost dried up for
the present, the past year has nevertheless been something of a South
African year In literature....
The small, anonymous publisher, Hjulet, published a book of their own on
South Africa in the fall, Death Is part of the process, by a white ANC
member, Hilda Bernstein. Despite the melodramatic title, I think it is a
book which carries the reader ever so much closer to that absurd reality
which is South Africa.
The book is in the form of a thriller, but as a reportage it is also authentic
and stripped bare, portraying the growth and increasing efficacy of black
resistance. From the first, fumbling and poorly planned bombing incidents
in the early sixties to a budding collective maturity.
Strong tensions between black and white are also found here, though they
are on the same side. Treachery and cowardice also have their place, as the
common human qualities which they are.
Even though this is no "great literature", it is, in its unpretentiousness, a
document on South Africa that feels credible.
BlRGITTA GUNNAR5SQN
Editor in Chief
NOdvdndigaNyheterna, No 4, 1987 (Published in mid-Jan 88). Paper of The
Association for Development Journalism of which yours truly has a board
member since its inception in 1983. 4 issues per year, 1500 copies.
Why this silence?
The political thriller of the autumn is Death is part o f the process by the
South African authoress, Hilda Bernstein....
It has had brilliant reviews in Gtiteborgs Posten , Hallandsposten and
Rapport fran S i DA, but, with the exception of Expressen, none of the major
papers in Stockholm and Malmo have written a word about this book.
Can this silence be due to Bernstein not hiding the fact that she is a
communist? Or is it because of the smallness of the publishers? Any way,
the effect resembles that achieved by the South African media in
Bernstein's story: their silence on the extent and significance of resistance
is deathly.
3
"Hilda Bernstein's message allows no room for evasion.
Even passivity
means taking a stand.”
This is how Ingrid Segerstedt Wiberg concludes her review in G -P on 29th
September, 1987. Would it not be great if the major papers of Stockholm
were less passive? Particularly since the book is really exciting, wellwritten and well translated.
MAPI GRAY
Nyheterna, 21st December, 1987. Local daily in Kalmar. 9 600 copies.
The furious struggle
against racism in South Africa
... Hilda Bernstein is another of the whites, who, with furious strength,
inter alia as a member of the ANC, has worked against her country's official
policies. Her novel, "Death is part of the process", is called “a political
thriller" on the back of the dust jacket. Luckily it is not. There are
exciting events in it, but, in its construction, the plot has none of the
artificial character of a thriller. On the contrary, this story is very
realistic and is based on authentic material: the events are as episodic as
they are in real life, but they are connected and the people are not heroes or
villains in black and white; nor is the scenario restricted to a single
episode or to a few main characters....
Good complement
If Andre Brink is a visionary and prophet, who wants to preach to the whole
world, then Hilda Bernstein provides a good complement as the realistic
truthful witness, the chronicler of daily life from an inhuman world. Her
unaffected flowing story bears the stamp of authenticity in every sentence
and in that way is as harrowing as Brink’s austere novels.
HANS BERG
Caption: Hilda Bernstein's novel, “Death is part of the process" has been
both awarded prizes and filmed. Now the book is available in Swedish.
Am nesty Bulletin, No 4, 1987. 30 000 copies.
Give us our country back!
Release Nelson Mandela!
Give our country back to us!
4
It was the first time that the black worker utilized his hardwon writing
skills when he scratched these words on his tin mug. He did it during a
lunch break. His superior read the words. The black man received a two
year prison sentence.
Hilda Bernstein talked about this event at the annual Book and Library Fair
in Gothenburg. The Pen-club had organized a seminar on imprisoned and
persecuted writers there.
Hilda Bernstein herself belongs to the persecuted group. She was forced
into exile already in the mid-sixties. But she has not forgotten the
struggle. This year she is releasing “Death is part of the process"...
In South Africa, the rulers usually don't bother much about revolutionary
ideas of authors. As long as they restrict themselves to the written word,
the authorities rely on the blacks' inability to read. But if authors, like
Hilda Bernstein, participate directly in the liberation struggle, they are
banned. Her news was that white and black cultural workers inside and
outside South Africa are now co-operating in resistance against the
apartheid regime....
INGRID 5EGERSTEDT W IBER6
Am nesty Bulletin, No 6, 1987. 30 OOO copies.
From passive to active resistance ...
Human rights are for whites. That is the law in South Africa. The state is
on a par with apartheid. Violence against blacks is legal. For whites to
show solidarity with blacks is treachery. This is sufficient reason for a
white to tolerate injustice towards blacks. One shuts one's eyes or turns
away, regretfully or in disgust.
Many whites naturally find the sight of what is happening in the country
outrageous. (Most recently the imprisonment and torture of children). But
to go from passive to active resistance, is a tremendous step, which few
whites manage to take. Why is it so hard, and what are the consequences
for those who do it? One who answers this question is Hilda Bernstein.
She herself took this step, during the time when, for more than 30 years,
she lived in South Africa and was active In the resistance movement....
Above all, Dick and Pila give rise to the discussion about apartheid which is
conducted throughout the book. In pregnant situations, Bernstein presents
the problem. Parallel run the plot of the book, the sabotage and the police
hunt for the saboteurs.
5
But let me leave the plot aside, even though It focusses on so much black
strength and unimaginable endurance. It is the development of a few whites
which concretize the task of the author. We are initiated in the white
dilemma: to be born in a life-style.... When Dick's black servant becomes a
victim of the so-called pass laws, and is assaulted and imprisoned, he
becomes convinced of the need to fight against apartheid.
But the
consequences of his commitment are unsuspected and become destructive.
This enormous step, according to Bernstein, implies breaking with the
white way of life, yes, to relinquish ones racial identity. When one realizes
this, what drives one forward? How can one survive?
(Margie: when does one stop saying my child, my job, etc.)...
Yes, at which stage does this happen? This is the question dealt with at
the heart of this book. Thereby it becomes timeless, in its moral acuity,
even if much has happened since the 1960s, which offer new angles and
make the novel more searingly up-to-date.
BRITTAWALINER
Alternativet, No 51, 18th December, 1987.
Party - the Greens. 20 000 copies.
Organ of the Environmental
To understand and change the world
... P olitical thrille r
If we turn our gaze out to the world, Hilda Bernstein's Death is part of
the process (Hjulet, trans Eva M Ahlander) makes harrowing reading. It is
a political thriller about South Africa based on reality and is one of the
very best books on conditions in that country....
BENNY KULLINOER
S/DA Rapport, No 8, 1987. For those interested in foreign aid. 8 000 copies.
Film classic on the resistance
... In addition to being an exciting thriller, Hilda Bernstein's book is also a
cleverly executed political novel. The persecution and repression of the
black population by the South African police is portrayed with a painful
realism. House(-to-house) searches, arrests and torture are shown here by
an author who lived in South Africa for 30 years and who played an active
role in the resistance struggle during the period in which this novel is set.
6
Her experience and commitment glow through on every page In “Death Is
part of the process".
Ought one to continue with the work of sabotage even though so many have
been imprisoned and tortureds? Should the struggle be prosecuted through
passive or armed resistance? Or through active co-operation with the
representatives of apartheid? Can one rely on the commitment of white
opponents of apartheid in this struggle?
These are some of the questions posed in Hilda Bernstein's Important novel
on resistance to apartheid In South Africa In the years following the
Sharpeville massacre.
MIKAEL JOHANSSON
5 1DA's library
Gdteborgstidningen, 14th October, 1987. Daily morning paper.
copies.
179 000
SOUTH AFRICA: NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY
“I NEVER KNEW
Dealh does nol impede Lhe struggle
... It is important to remember that the ANC - which turned 75 this year clung to its Gandhi-inspired non-violent principles for nearly 50 years.
Only after the Sharpeville massacre and the banning of the ANC was
pacifism abandoned.
Costly lessons
Despite her own commitment, Bernstein has written no heroic story of the
edifying genre. On the contrary, she portrays disorientation and incapacity
perfectly clearly. It Is a period of learning and the lessons are expensive....
Successful sabotage
Not everyone survives/escapes as easily. Guess for whom It Is worst?
Even in this context apartheid prevails. A sack over the head, electric
shocks, the sjambok whip - these are primarily kept for non-whites.
Perhaps egalitarianism has increased somewhat since then.
The last lines of this novel describe a successful sabotage act of 1980.
Death has not impeded the struggle. Unfortunately it seems as though many
more will have to give their lives before also South Africa becomes a
country where the question of the justification of violence will only be a
question reserved for university seminars. (I think this Implies that though
7
more will have to die. eventually all non-academics will understand the
need for the armed struggle without the need for further debate. Madi)
KARL STEINICK
Expressen, 16th October, 1987. Sweden's largest daily, an evening tabloid.
Circulation 599 000 copies.
Liberation may be expensive!
“But can one really give unreserved support to the ANC?" a Journalist
colleague wondered late one night In Rome in 1987. We other two sitting at
the table, who had been to South Africa (for different reasons: he to report
on a Formula I competition in the country of apartheid and me to meet
Winnie Mandela, who, at the time, from her illegal hiding-place in a "white”
area, defied Pretoria and Botha), we unequivocally replied YES.
If one now does not completely understand the conflict in South Africa, why
the white minority regime's method of governing - with a permanent state
of emergency - means ruthless injustice for the country's black majority
and all shades of skin colour in between (blue, green, yellow-purple and
whatever else the racial laws define), Hilda Bernstein's book “Death is part
of the process" gives a good lesson.
That is to say, it is more of a good political lesson than a “political
thriller", which is said on the dust jacket....
Much more than a thriller, Hilda Bernstein's book bears witness to the long
struggle, to torture in apartheid’s prisons, to how much it may cost to
become free. A great deal, it may cost a great deal. AMANDLA! Power to
the people.
And read the book.
CHRISTEL
p e r ss o n
Budkavle, (Flaming cross) No 5, 1987. Paper of Centre Party Women. 8 000
copies. Interview in Kulturhuset, the House of Culture, in Stockholm.
Apartheid in a nutshell
Quotation: A pregnant Margie does not say anything
when a white woman drives a pregnant
Indian woman off the grass.
The above quotation comes from Hilda Bernstein’s novel, “Death is part of
the Process", “Doden kan inte hindra oss“, recently published in Swedish by
8
the Hjulet publishers. It portrays apartheid, the segregation of the races,
in a nutshell. ... Why you were in Sweden, your arrival, political activities, detention and
departure from SA
Her attitude to what is happening today is perfectly clear. The blacks are
fighting for their lives, the whites for what they call their way of life....
Regime's oppression provokes violence
... "This Is what is happening, said Hilda Bernstein. The brutal repression of
the regime provokes violence amongst those fighting for their freedom.
Violence is everywhere. The whites are very scared. They send their
children to "adventure camps", where they learn to shoot. The target is
"something out there in the dark”." ... ANC membership and other biographical details;
your banning, Sharpeville massacre.
CECILIA ONFELT
Caption: The author, Hilda Bernstein at the book fair in Gothenburg (sic!).
Ostra Smaland, Kalmar, in S-E Sweden, 22nd October, 1987. 14 OOO copies.
Local daily.
Strong and gripping about the struggle
against apartheid
The struggle continues
But despite imprisonment, house arrest, the state of emergency and ever
more stringent laws, the struggle against apartheid has continued and is
still going on today.
"Death is part of the process" is a strong and gripping novel about a group of
people who sacrifice everything, even life, for their conviction that their
country must become a country for all, irrespective of the colour of their
skins....
One can only hope that someone responsible on Swedish television will buy
It (the BBC film of the book) so that the Swedish public will also be able to
see It....
KARIN ASMUDSON
Caption: Hilda Bernstein’s novel has both been awarded prizes and filmed.
Now it is available in Swedish.
9
Dast-Magazine, 4 Issues annually. 1 000 copies.
Death is part of the process (1983)
Heat! Fire! Explosion!
As far as I can see, there is no speculation nor romance here. The pain and
suffering are so concrete and feel so honest, that I felt like a fish on dry
land. Its difficult to breathe when one is holding one's breath.
A group of South Africans... explosions.
Someone betrays the group. Who?
Some have the strength to hold out unto death during interrogation and
heavy torture. Strong reading experience!
NyDag, Left Party Communist’s weekly, No 38, 1987.
In flight from her countrymen
A frica Bulletin, Organ of the Africa Groups in Sweden, No 6 (Dec), 1987.
Hilda
Synopsis:
Large parts of these articles are identical. The differences 8re in the introductory
remarks and the endings. Both have been well received. The articles are partly based on what you
told me during our boat ride and partly on the bits of the interviews I heard, which you had with
Elle-Kari Hojeberg of Swedish radio and with Lena Granhagen, the director of the Biko radio pley.
Ny Dag:
I start with censorship thinking: books compared to mass media. Photographers and journalists
at risk. Consequences of translating words into action. The book fair....
Hilda Bernstein is an energetic woman with silvery hair and a tangible lust
for life. To her, politics are as self-evident a part of life as is breathing.
"Even if I am painting a vase of flowers, I feel I am bearing a clenched fist
inside me.” ... Birth, parents, emigration, SACP small but worked openly, married Rusty, 4
children, in hiding when made decision to leave, Rivonia( We don’t know why just he was
released - the evidence was just as poor against several other accused),
value of international support, our walk to the old town talking about the conflicts created for
your children by the conflicting values at home and in society in SA, your surprise that despite
propaganda, etc. so many young people break away from the system.
Hilda pointed out that the situation on South Africa today is similar to that
in the early sixties, the period of the events in Death is part o f the process
10
The novel is based on reality. ... State of emergency, decision to start 8rmed struoale.
avoidance of terrorism against innocent people, sabotage instead, the novel, a group of saboteurs,
the first generation which still exerts an influence in the eighties.
"Our commitment was not narrowly political. Ideas and human dignity were
equally important, said HB. We wanted to create another kind of society,
without oppression. ... Similarities to Nazi Germany, ‘knew nothing’, whites in SA don't
want to know, (despite censorship information is available, eg WeeklyM ail), otherwise couldn't
bear to remain, Hilda banned, second book to be published in Swedish.
Ten years ago Steve Biko, one of the leaders of the Black Consciousness
Movement was tortured to death. Hilda Bernstein wrote a book about him,
No 46, Steve B iko . ... Radio play based on same material to be broadcast in the autumn.
To gain a deeper understanding o f what lay behind the murder, Lena
Granhagen, d ire c to r o f the play, took the opportunity of interviewing Hilda
while she was in Stockholm.... Publisher asked H to write, read RDM reports till knew
time it happened, etc. police indifferent and evil, shocked by doctors becoming their instruments.
Increased violence from regime, many SAns and Europeans refer to stone-throwing when talk of
violence, regime's intention to create raw and split generation which doesn't want to participate
in liberation struggle. Youth, largest single group, source of criminals and freedom fighters. Live
under threat, meet at night, etc
"They have been forced into anarchy by a state which has blocked all
democratic means of overthrowing apartheid."
Africa Bulletin.
"The regime's Intention is to create a raw and split generation which
doesn't want to participate in liberation struggle. When people in England
and several other countries talk of violence, in 5A, they often refer to a
stone-throwing child or an ANC explosion of some government building.
They seldom refer to the state’s war against the children.
They seldom refer to the violence of unemployment, or that people are
forced to live far away In the rural areas. There they live in poverty and
inactivity, which creates apathy, powerlessness and violence. Youth, largest
single group, source of criminals and freedom fighters. Live under threat, meet at night, etc.
Forced into anarchy by 8 state which has blocked all democratic means of overthrowing apartheid.
More than an obsolete ideolog/ , economic system, very profitable.
An energetic woman with silvery hair and a tangible lust for life. Politics os self-evident a part
of life as breathing Even if painting 8 vsse of flowers, bear a clenched fist inside. Birth, rapid
political involvement in SA, married Rusty, 4 children, in hiding when made decision to leave,
Rivonia trial - don’t know why just he W8S released, evidence was just as poor against others,
influence of international support on judiciary. Saved Mandela and Sisulu from gallows.
Our first meeting in Amsterdam (did not mention beds) and in England. Life in the countrysidefewer meetings but not more books nor paintings. Gardening, etc. time-consuming. Cold and
isolation in winter difficult. Then long for sun, experience we share with other SAns in Europe.
Lovely late summer visit to Stxkholm. Our walk to the old town talking. Your children not allowed
to utter racist sentiments, conflicting values at home and in society in SA, your surprise that
despite racism taught in class, propaganda, so many young people break away from the system.
11
Censorship thinking: books compared to mass media. Photographers and journalists at risk.
Consequences of translating words into action. The book fair.... Similarities between eighties and
sixties. Novel based on reality. State of emergency, 20 000 arrested, decision to start armed
struggle, avoidance of terrorism against innocent people, sabotage instead, the novel, a group of
saboteurs, the first generation which still exerts an influence in the eighties.
Commitment not narrowly political. Ideas and human dignity equally important Wanted to create
another kind of society, without oppression. ... Similarities to Nazi Germany, 'knew nothing',
whites in SA don't want to know, (despite censorship, information is available, eg Weekly Moil),
otherwise couldn't bear to remain, implications of Hilda's banning. Second book in Swedish.
Ten years ago Steve Biko, a leader of BCM, tortured to death. HB wrote book, Mb 46, Steve Biko.
... Radio play based on same material to be broadcast in the autumn. To gain deeper understanding
of what lay behind the murder, director Lena Granhagen, interviewed Hilda in Stockholm. ...
Publisher asked H to write, read RDM reports till knew time it happened, etc. police indifferent
and evil, shocked by doctors becoming their instruments. Unexpected from professional healers.
Regime’s violence increased, but struggle continues.
"When someone turns against racism, an internal conviction keeps one
moving in the same direction. One knows that work, family and friends can
be affected, But it is imposssible to deviate. The force of the conviction is
too strong."
MAPI GRAY
Freelance journalist
Collection Number: A3299
Collection Name:
Hilda and Rusty BERNSTEIN Papers, 1931-2006
PUBLISHER:
Publisher:
Historical Papers Research Archive
Collection Funder: Bernstein family
Location:
Johannesburg
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