Oral history interview with Hans Beukes by Barbara Wahlberg

Oral history interview with Hans Beukes by Barbara Wahlberg. Beukes reveals the circumstances surrounding his first meeting with Luthuli in Cape Town in 1959. He proceeds to discuss his own story of escape from South Africa to Norway, drawing attention to those who influenced him to do so and made it possible. He shares his impressions of Luthuli when he met with him again in Norway in 1961 and speculates as to how Luthuli might have come to the attention of the Nobel Peace Prize committee for nomination. Beukes is keen to emphasise JFK’s endorsement of Luthuli’s award, which meant the USA could not dismiss the ANC as a terrorist organisation. Conversation then turns to the controversy surrounding the formation of MK and speculation as to whether Luthuli knew and supported this wing. Other topics discussed include the Namibian situation in the 1950s and 1960s, and Beukes first impressions of Oslo as a decrepit town in the aftermath of the German occupation and his subsequent respect for Norwegian investment in infrastructure, particularly education. This leads to a wider analysis of education in South Africa and the ANC Youth League. The interview concludes with a discussion about Mandela’s legacy and Beukes reasons for asserting that his vision for South Africa could be nothing other than nonracial. Photographs and names are exchanged throughout the interview as touchstones for sparking further conversation topics. | Beukes, Hans; Wahlberg, Barbara; Luthuli, Chief Albert; Lowenstein, Allard; Benson, Mary; Kharma, Tsjekegi; Scott, Rev. Michael; Tambo, Oliver; Luthuli, Nokukhanya; Jahn, Gunnar; Kennedy, President J F; Mandela, Nelson; Malema, Julius; Fischer, Bram | Luthuli Museum: Barbara Wahlberg