Ruth Weiss, fearless anti-apartheid journalist and author, dies at 101
Renowned journalist and author Ruth Weiss passed away on September 5 at the age of 101. To preserve her legacy and the values she stood for, a group of her friends established the Ruth-Weiss-Gesellschaft in Berlin in 2019.
Born in Fürth in 1924 and raised in Aschaffenburg, Weiss fled Germany in 1936, settling in South Africa. There, she became a prominent journalist and author, fighting against the apartheid regime. She met and worked with notable figures like Nelson Mandela. Despite her exile, Weiss returned to Germany regularly, visiting the Ruth-Weiss-Realschule to share her messages of courage, justice, and tolerance.
Weiss' impact was recognised with several awards. In 2014, she received the Federal Cross of Merit. In 2023, she was honoured with the South African national order 'Companion of O. R. Tambo'. Most recently, in 2024, she was awarded the Great Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 2010, the Girls' Realschule was renamed in her honour to carry on her message of humanity and reconciliation.
Ruth Weiss' life and work, marked by courage, determination, and commitment to justice, continue to inspire. The Ruth-Weiss-Gesellschaft, founded in 2019, ensures her work and values endure, preserving her legacy for future generations.
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