So, African Parliament to Have Nine Jews; Two Represent Colored Voters

Seven Jews were among the successful candidates elected to Parliament in last week’s elections, according to the final tabulations completed here today. They are Dr. E.L. Fisheg, Major E.B. Isaacs, L.B. Taurog, A. Gorshel, S. Emdin, Mrs. Helen Suzman and S. Frank. The first five represented the United Party; Mrs. Suzman is a member of the Progressive Party, while Mr. Frank ran on the list of the National Party in Southwest Africa. Fisheg, Taurog and Frank were returned to Parliament unopposed.

In addition, two Jews–A. Bloomberg and C. Barnett–were elected in earlier balloting to represent the Colored voters in Cape.

There were no "Jewish issues" in the election campaign. When some newspapers suggested that the "Jewish vote" would favor the Progressives in certain constituencies, Progressive Party candidates themselves scotched this notion, stating that Jews here voted as South Africans for whatever parties the individual voters might favor, and that there was no "Jewish vote."

In one of the most highly contested constituencies, Johannesburg’s Houghton, both opposing candidates were Jews–Hymie Miller for the United Party and Mrs. Suzman for the Progressives. Both were members of the outgoing Parliament. Voting was heavy on both sides, with many Jews voting, and Mrs. Suzman won by a majority of 500.

In Johannesburg’s Orange Grove constituency, another area where there are many Jewish voters, the United Party’s Etienne Malan, who is not Jewish, defeated the Progressive Party’s Alf Einstein, who is a Jew. Jews clearly voted on both sides of this contest.

Two main features characterize the results of the elections. The Government increased its strength, gaining three seats and increasing its voting strength by four percent. Then there was a heavy vote for the Progressive Party candidates who contested 23 seats, although they won only one seat. The Government now has 105 seats in the new Parliament, against 51 for the combined opposition parties.