Harry Schwarz
A fierce anti-apartheid parliamentarian who used his legal mind and political courage to fight for a democratic South Africa from within the system.
1924–2010 (age 86)·South African activist and politician·Birthday: May 13·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Born in Cologne, Germany, Harry Schwarz arrived in South Africa as a Jewish refugee in 1934, an experience that forged his lifelong opposition to discrimination. He built a successful legal career in Johannesburg before entering Parliament in 1974 as a representative for the liberal United Party, and later the Progressive Federal Party. For two decades, his voice was a constant, thunderous critique of apartheid policy in the assembly, where he mastered parliamentary procedure to stage dramatic confrontations with the ruling National Party. His famous 1974 'Huisgenoot' interview, where he outlined a vision for a negotiated future based on human dignity, was banned by the government. In the critical early 1990s, he accepted the role of South Africa's first post-apartheid ambassador to the United States, using his credibility to help secure international support for the nascent democracy.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Harry was born in 1924, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Harry Was Born
The biggest hits of 1924
#1 Movie
The Sea Hawk
Harry's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1924Born
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1929Started school
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1937Became a teenager
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1940Could drive
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1942Could vote
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1945Turned 21
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1954Turned 30
Brown v. Board of Education desegregates US schools
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $8,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Little Things Mean a Lot" — Kitty KallenBest Picture: On the Waterfront
1964Turned 40
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1974Turned 50
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1984Turned 60
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1994Turned 70
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 80
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2010Died at 86
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
Key Achievements
- Delivered the landmark 1974 'Huisgenoot' interview, articulating a blueprint for a negotiated, non-racial South Africa, which the government immediately banned.
- Served as a leading opposition Member of Parliament for nearly 20 years, consistently challenging apartheid legislation.
- Was appointed South Africa's Ambassador to the United States in 1995, a key diplomatic post during the country's transition.
- Founded the anti-apartheid 'Torch Commando' ex-servicemen's movement in the 1950s.
Did You Know?
He was a champion boxer during his university years at the University of the Witwatersrand.
He escaped Nazi Germany with his family on one of the last trains allowed to leave before borders closed.
He was a qualified pilot.
His son, Jonathan Schwarz, followed him into a career in law and politics.
“We must build a society based on the dignity of man, where the only classification is that of a human being.”
