Ronnie Kasrils: armed and dangerous

Abstract

Ronald 'Ronnie' Kasrils was one of the many white South African patriots who were prepared to give up their privileges of class and race when they decided to commit themselves to the struggle against apartheid. Following his early conscientisation about the racial nature of oppression and exploitation in this country, Kasrils embarked on the dangerous journey of joining the military wing of the ANC, MK, and rose rapidly in its ranks. He played a significant role in efforts to rebuild the ANC underground inside the country from the early 1970s, in structures of the ANC in the 'forward areas' (Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana and Zimbabwe), and in the ANC'S Operation Vula in the late 1980s. He occupied several important positions in the liberation movement, including being a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) in exile and the South African Communist Party's (SACP) central committee, and served as a minister in various administrations during the post-apartheid era.