All over the world, progressive people have been paying tribute to Denis Goldberg, who sadly died last month. He was a great fighter to end apartheid and for a better future for all of humankind.

In South Africa itself, the president announced that national flag was to fly at half-mast at every station in the country from May 1 to May 4 as a mark of respect and in observance of days of national mourning. I joined international voices in sending my condolences to his family, to the African National Congress (ANC), and to all the people of South Africa.

Denis was a good friend, and I had known him since he arrived in Britain in 1985. He made a great impression on me, just as he did on so many others throughout his life. He arrived in exile after spending twenty-two years in prison in South Africa, having been tried alongside Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, and others in the Rivonia Trial.