Rowley Israel Arenstein

Rowley Israel Arenstein was born in 1919. Arenstein was a prominent Durban attorney, radical, and leader in the Congress of Democrats (CoD).

He joined the Communist Party in 1938, becoming an organizer for the Durban and district branch. In 1947 he withdrew from active politics in order to concentrate on his legal practice, but he did participate in the Durban branch of the COD in the 1950s.

Though banned from 1953 on, he continued to defend Africans and persons accused of political offenses. His wife, Jacqueline, a journalist, was a defendant in the Treason Trial. In 1961 he led the legal fight for the release of Anderson Ganyile and other leaders of the Pondoland revolt who had been seized in Lesotho by the South African police (SAP). In 1966 he was convicted on a charge under the Suppression of Communism Act and jailed for four years. In 1971, although banned, he assisted the defense in the Pietermaritzburg trial of 13, charged under the Terrorism Act.

He was later banned from practicing law and placed under house arrest in Durban. The Arensteins have two children and still live in Durban.

References:

• Gerhart G.M and Karis T. (ed)(1977). From Protest to challenge: A documentary History of African Politics in South Africa: 1882-1964, Vol.4. Political Profiles 1882 – 1964. Hoover Institution Pres: Stanford University.