Bernard Friedman

Bernard Friedman (1896 – 1984) was a South African surgeon, politician, author, and businessman who co-founded the anti-apartheid Progressive Party.

In Parliament he was noted for the informed content of his speeches, particularly those on financial and treasury matters, and was admired by members on both sides of the House for his quick repartee and cutting interjections and "brilliant presentation" of argument in support of press freedom.

[4][5] In 1955, Friedman resigned his seat in protest against the United Party's refusal to pledge to the restoration of Coloured voters on the common roll (High Court of Parliament Bill).

[citation needed] He retired and became President of the South African Institute of Race Relations in which role he argued for a new constitution and bill of rights in a non-racial society.

[8] Dr Friedman wrote also on assimilation and his view was "it is a fundamental principle of every democratic state to permit within its borders a diversity of elements who are held together by a common bond of loyalty".

[citation needed] He was married to Florence Louie 'Lulu' Friedman,[10] the satirist, translator of poetry, and publisher (Silver Leaf Books,[11] which she founded with the writer Thelma Gutsche).