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The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) joins the rest of the nation in mourning the passing of yet another pillar upon which South Africa’s constitutional democracy was built. In a statement, Dr Max Coleman’s family confirmed that he had passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, the 16th January 2022, aged 95.

Dr Coleman was an anti-apartheid activist and former Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission. Dr Coleman and his wife founded the Detainees Parents Support Committee in 1981 after the apartheid regime detained their own sons for anti-apartheid activities. The DPSC comprised many parents whose children were detained, often tortured and suffered injustices, including lack of legal representation and detention without trial. 

The DPSC helped to draw international attention to the atrocities being visited against children – some as young as nine – by the apartheid state. Evidence amassed by the DPSC helped to lay some of the groundwork for South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

In his submission, he pointed out that the Apartheid government had detained approximately 20 000 children and that one in four youths who were imprisoned were subject to assault and /or torture while in prison.

The anti-detention movement galvanised the support of many ordinary South Africans and became part of the mass uprising that contributed to ending Apartheid. 

In November 2021, Max and Audrey Coleman were honored and conferred the National Order of Luthuli in Silver  by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Dr Coleman continued his fight for equality and human rights until very recently.  In an open letter he  co-authored with his wife Audrey, he  denounced the corruption that has become endemic in SA. In his open letter he noted that in contemporary South Africa “The ANC must rid itself of corrupt elements, the democratic state must be restored to its historic duty to put South Africans first. To awaken the spirit of 'ubuntu', to reimagine the Mandela-led movement for non-racialism, inclusion and democracy."

The Commission shares its deepest and most sincere condolences with his family, friends, and the nation. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission