Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the history of Women’s struggle in South Africa. Related issues to be discussed in this paper include the history and apartheid policy that dominated in South Africa.
A brief history of Women’s Movement in South Africa
Women in South Africa are known of being politically active, and are still mobilized throughout South Africa. Many of their protests were sporadic and varied in content in early 1900s. For instance, they mobilized against the inclusion of women in the carrying of passes in Bloemfontein in 1913. They also mobilized not only against the implementation of poll tax on Indian people, but also against constraints on their economic activities in what was termed as Beerhall Protests in Natal in early 1920s (Burnett, Karmali & Manji, 2007). Women workers started participating actively in trade unions in 1920s after being organized by Communist Party of South Africa. They aimed at expanding their rights through non-racial organizations (Walker, 1991). The participation of women in trade unions played a significant role towards development of women’s movement. In the trade unions, women managed to develop leadership qualities that enhanced them to articulate the linkages that coexisted between women’s tyranny and their gender subjugation.
Position of women in African National Congress (ANC) in early 20th Century
Although women participated extensively in a range of political struggles such as opposition of passes, high rents and racialism, their position in ANC was insignificant. They lacked voting rights. Majority of them who were members of ANC were wives of members of branches; most positions of ANC were preserved for men. During that time, there existed a women’s organization by name ‘Women’s League’. The main role of this organization was not only to provide catering, but also to organize entertainment at meetings (Bell & Nkomo, 2003).
In 1943, thirty one years after the formation of ANC, women were allowed to take part in voting as full members of the movement; they were considered essential in meeting the deliberation objectives of the movement. The high demand for labor to advance secondary industry in early 1940s enhanced women movement to urban centers. Their presence in urban centers led to emergence of resistance that spread through the townships. Their extensive participation in fueling resistance in urban centers contributed to the formation of ANC Women’s League (Hassim 2006).
In her book, Hassim notes that the formation of ANC Women’s League was so significant. According to her: “ANC Women’s League played a significant role in representing the interests of the majority of the South African women” (Hassim, 2006: 23). Additionally, the league provided a platform for women to join national liberation movement just like men.
Women’s Autonomy in 1950s
In the 1950s, ANC Women’s League became part of the driving forces in South Africa. It worked in close connection with:
Federation of South African Women, the nonracial women’s movement that operated within the Congress Alliance, the umbrella group formed by the ANC,
the White Congress of democrats, the South African Indian Congress, and the
Colored People’s Organization to oppose apartheid (Hassim, 2006: 23).
In 1946, women expressed their demand for more powers via the executive committee of ANC Women’s League. They wanted to be independent, free from men interference when making certain decisions. However, they were unsuccessful; men barred them from meeting their demands. According to Hassim, “the continuous quest for autonomy by women was interrupted in 1960, when the apartheid government banned the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress,” (Hassim 2006: 24). As a result of this, all the liberation movements including those for women were forced to go into exile.
Federation of South African Women
By 1940s almost all women from all races had begun participating in the world of politics. In Natal, women who used to be submissive to men had began to show some element of resistance as inspired by Gandhi. They organized themselves using languages such as Tamil and Hindi. They also connected themselves to Africans so as to fight not only against white dominations, but also for the rights of women. In the 1950s, majority of the Indian women joined the nonracial Federation of South African Women. They struggled together with Africans towards attaining democracy and doing away with apartheid policy that existed in South Africa.
“Federation of South African Women was formed in early 1954 at a meeting attended by 230,000 women composed of members of the ANC Women’s League, the Communist Party, and trade unions” (Hassim, 2006: 25). It was a nonracial body that accommodated different groups of people. One of its main goals was to address the importance of women separation from ANC. According to it, women were in the society that not only neglected them, but also barred them from progressing. Thus, it required women to be respected and given opportunity to take part in liberating the country just like men; it quested for equality between men and women. Additionally:
- the group aimed at bringing the women of South Africa together to secure full equality of opportunity for all women regardless of race, color or creed;
- to remove social and legal and economic disabilities;
- to work for the protection of the women and children of our land, (African National Congress, 1980: 4).
To boost its functionality, the federation was awarded a Women’s Charter that outlined the political roles of women. The charter also touched on matters of women rights. For instance, it sought for equality between men and women in all fields including employments. It also advocated maternity leave and child care to employed mothers. Additionally, “it demanded compulsory education for all South African children,” (African National Congress, 1980: 5).
Compared to ANC, the federation, with the support of Congress Alliance, carried out numerous campaigns within South Africa. For instance, it launched an independent militant campaign in 1955 that led to the inclusion of its demands in the “Freedom Charter” that was assumed in late June, 1955 in Kliptown.
“The major activity of the Federation was evidenced by its participation in the massive protests against imposition of pass laws to women,” (African National Congress, 1980: 3). In October 1955, the Federation together with ANC Women’s League walked to Pritoria with the intention of meeting cabinet ministers that were administering apartheid laws but in vain (African National Congress, 1980). Having failed in meeting their objectives in 1955, the Women’s League together with the Federation of South Africa Women arranged another big meeting in late 1956 aimed at doing away with pass laws.
Feminism and Nationalism
Despite the tremendous contributions of women in twentieth century, their essence in politics was not defined. Majority of the men still considered them as inferior members of the society. However, women remained strong; they were not discouraged by the opinions given by men. Additionally, they were mobilized by the essence of nationalism rather than feminism as men thought of them. Female activists also played a significant role in enhancing the spirit of nationalism in women; they aided them in understanding the relationship that coexisted between women’s struggle and nationalist struggle” (Hassim, 2006: 28).
Moreover, they assisted women in expounding the impacts of exploitation and oppression in the society. With the effort of women activists, women were mobilized to demand political positions. However, the whole of 1970s was so strenuous to women; the feminism debates held in white countries such as Britain and the US acted as stumbling blocks to their quest. Additionally, “the disregard of politics discussion at the Nairobi Decade for Women Conference in 1985 posed great challenge to them” (Hassim, 2006: 29). Despite the many challenges that women faced in 1970s and parts of 1980s, it is evident that most women’s organizations started to revive in 1980s.
Women’s struggles within Nationalism
The uprisings of 1976 had greatly impacted the formation of some organizations within South Africa. Its effects had led to ex-Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) members in the Western Cape to reorganize themselves as early as 1978 with the intention of forming a body that was to fight for their demands.By the mid of 1980s, women activists had managed to mobilize other women for the formation of United Women’s Organization (UWO). The main aim of UWO was to unite organizations that were not only generated from Women’s National Coalition, but also those that were nonpartisan and broad based. UWO also aimed at harnessing women’s energy for a national activity.
The organization played a significant role in protecting the rights of children and all citizens of America. “It campaigned against price rises on commodities such as bread and other home utilities. Additionally, it defended children against oppressions from South African Defense Force and police brutality,” (African National Congress, 1980: 4). “UWO also demanded full democratic rights for all South Africans and a fundamental transformation of power relations in society,” (Hassim, 2006: 59). It also demanded freedom of movement and women equal rights to men in marriage and all laws that govern South Africa. A year after the formation of UWO, Women’s Front was also formed. The main aim of its formation was to address human right issues. UWO also took part in the setting up civics. Being among the few organizations that existed by that time, UWO also took part in the formation of United Democratic Front (UDF).
It demanded women to have equal rights with women and children to be freed from oppressions. However, it did not last for long; it was united with UWO to form United Women’s Congress in (UWCO) 1986 (Hassim, 2006). UWCO played a significant role in South Africa. It addressed the problems of the people from oppressed societies. It also encouraged women to take part in solving problems that women encounter in life. However, the main reason for its formation was to fight against apartheid policy. In the late 1986, UWCO also tried to reestablish FEDSAW.
The Natal Organization of Women is also one of the groups that portray the historical struggle of women in South Africa. It was formed in December 1983 as one of the affiliates of United Democratic Front (UDF). UDF was an organization that was formed in 1983 with the intention of opposing nationalist governments,” (Hassim, 2006: 73). It was the leading anti apartheid political movement in South Africa by that time. Most of its leaders consisted of the exiled ANC members. It had also some elements of sympathizers as its members. Unfortunately, UDF was also led by only men; men who did not address women issues and sexual harassment within the organization. It was through the occasional meetings of women from Durban that NOW was formed. The women wanted to have an organization that would play part in not only uniting them, but also solving their problems (Porter & Sweetman, 2005).
The main aim for the establishment of NOW was to foster for the rights of women. It also aimed at uplifting the lifestyle of the women in the society. It wanted a constitution to be drafted that would safeguard the rights of women. It also demanded education for its members. Through it, women managed to learn leadership roles and their responsibility in the society. Like other movements, NOW also fought for better housing rates. It also formed structures that constituted of women only. In addition to this, it also advocated maternal leaves and child-care. Furthermore, it opposed introduction of pass laws on women.
“The declaration of State of Emergency in 1986, and mass detentions and restrictions on the UDF members contributed significantly to full involvement of NOW in decision making in Natal; it spearheaded a lot of campaigns that had been laid by UDF,” (African National Congress, 1980: 3). NOW also took part in providing the victims of European oppression with basic needs; it offered shelter, food and moral support. Additionally, it spread the news concerning the plight of State of Emergency victims throughout the embassies that coexisted in South Africa. Together with other organizations such as UDF and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) affiliates, NOW also took part in consumer boycotts and bus boycotts,” (African National Congress, 1980: 3). Its members such as Madlala not only suffered from assassinations and detentions, but also enforced to go into exile. Its essence was also significant in 1990; it took part in re-establishment of ANC after the unbanning of political organizations (Hassim, 2006).
Solidarity of women
In 1970s, women showed a lot of solidarity. In unison, they advanced the essence of trade unions and women’s federations. They rarely participated in political parties because they were barred from participating in any political activity by the administration of South Africa. Just like men, women participated in the struggle in significant numbers. Majority of them carried out their struggling activities while in other countries or in exile. Just like men, they also risked their lives and that of their groups so much. The level of risks is evidenced by the position of women in South Africa in that time; the government strongly disregarded women (Russell, 2003). Most of the women leaders were detained by the colonists in the process of destroying women’s groups. Their role in the struggle for liberation influenced the conducts of many men and women from other nations; they attracted the solidarity of both men and women internationally. The importance of solidarity among women was highly expressed by women such as Winnie Mandela:
It is only when all black groups join hands and speak with one voice that
we shall be a bargaining force which will decide its own destiny. We
know what we want. We are not asking for majority rule; it is our right,
we shall have it at any cost. We are aware that the road before us is
uphill, but we shall fight to the bitter end for justice (African National
Congress, 1980: 11)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the purpose of this paper was to evaluate women’s struggle in South Africa. It discussed the history of women’s movement in South Africa, their position in the country, and their influence to the whole world. It also detailed on the distinction that coexisted between feminism and nationalism among women. Based on the research, it is evident that women contributed significantly towards attainment of liberation in South Africa. Their trade unions and federations played significant roles towards the attainment of human rights. They also contributed significantly towards the end of child oppressions by the policemen. Their occasional boycotts led to the abolishment of some practices such as high house rates and bread prices (Gasa, 2007). Their contribution in the struggle led to their involvement in the formation of struggling groups such as ANC Women’s League. Their participation in the quest for liberation and democracy while in outside countries and in exile motivated women and men internationally into seeking for solidarity and liberty. Their significance to the South African society is unquestionable. They led to the attainment of independence in America in early 1990.
References
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