Black Women and the Struggle Against Apartheid in South Africa

Oyibo H. Afoaku

Description

This book documents the experiences of Black women during the apartheid era in South Africa from 1948 through 1994. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Indigenous groups that made up what later became known as South Africa had instilled in their sons and daughters different gender roles based on the dominant cultural standards. Women were expected to take care of the home while the men were supposed to serve as breadwinners and leaders. Following the the decision by European travelers to establish a ‘service station’ at the Cape of Good Hope in 1662, Black women became more marginalized in the political, economic, and social aspects of family life and at the national level. At the same time, Black woman were reduced to ‘maids’ serving at the pleasure of European families and were confronted with the three-fold challenge of discrimination based on race, class, and gender. Readers will be exposed to the strategies and tactics Black women adopted in response to discrimination in and outside their homes which participating in the collective struggle against the apartheid system.

Sujets

• Histoire
• África
• Oyibo
• Thesis
• History
• Africa

Informations

• Publié par: Xlibris US
• Date de parution: 09 janvier 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781669861300
• Langue: English

Extrait

Black Women and the Struggle against Apartheid in South Africa
 
 
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
 
 
 
 
Oyibo H. Afoaku
 
Copyright © 2023 by Oyibo H. Afoaku.
 
Library of Congress Control Number:
2022924096
ISBN:
Hardcover
978-1-6698-6132-4

Softcover
978-1-6698-6131-7

eBook
978-1-6698-6130-0

 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
 
Rev. date: 12/29/2022
 
 
Xlibris
844-714-8691
www.Xlibris.com
848576
CONTENTS
Abstract
Acronyms
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Black Women In Precolonial South Africa
Introduction
Initiation Rites and Gender Roles in Precolonial Society
Gender Relations in Precolonial Society
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Black Women And Apartheid Laws
Introduction
Black Women and White Domination Before Apartheid
Black Women and Apartheid Laws
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Black Women’s Response To Apartheid
Introduction
Profiles
Winnie Mandela
Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu
Emma Mashinini
Thenjiwe Mtintso
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Conclusion: Black Women In Post-Apartheid South Africa
Introduction
From Apartheid to Multiracial Democracy
Black Women and the 1996 Constitution
Conclusion
Bibliography
ABSTRACT
T RADITIONALLY, ACADEMIC DISCUSSION about apartheid has been dominated by the power struggles between Black and White males within the framework of an oppressive system that was based on patriarchy and White racial superiority. Consequently, Black women’s experiences and contributions in the struggle against apartheid have not received the emphasis that they deserve in scholarly discussion of apartheid. This study represents an attempt to narrow this gap.
It is noteworthy that gender inequality was tolerated in precolonial South Africa. As evidenced by initiation ceremonies in precolonial South Africa, traditional processes of socialization were carefully designed to prepare male and female children for their future roles in the political, social, and economic dimensions of society as adults. Rapid changes took place in South Africa following the arrival of the Europeans in the late 1500s, especially with the establishment of the famous “service station” at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. Specifically, the conditions of Black women were compounded by these changes as native South Africans progressively lost control of their destiny with the subsequent influx of European immigrants, the Boer Trek, the discovery of gold and diamonds in the second half of the nineteenth century, imposition of British rule at the end of the South African War of 1899–1902 and, especially, imposition of apartheid from 1948 through 1994.
Apartheid had multiple implications for Black women; it had negative impacts on their relationships with Black men, their relationships with other women, and particularly with the White minority regime. Under apartheid rule, Black women were subjected to threefold discrimination based on class, gender, and race. Through their collective actions and the leadership provided by individuals, Black women’s struggles against apartheid had a powerful impact on the feminist movement in South Africa. More importantly, they made remarkable contributions toward the collapse of the apartheid system and the emergence of multiracial democracy in South Africa in 1994 through collaborations with anti-apartheid groups within and outside the country. One of the several challenges facing post-apartheid South Africa is related to translating the lofty provisions of its democratic constitution in ways that will significantly improve the status of women, especially Black women.
ACRONYMS
ANC
African National Congress
ANCWL
African National Congress Women’s League
AZAPO
Azanian People’s Organization
CCAWUSA
Commercial, Catering, and Allied Workers Union of South Africa
COSATU
Congress of South African Trade Unions
DPSC
Detainees Parents’ Support Committee
ECC
End Conscription Campaign
FSAW
Federation of South African Women
NNC
South African Native National Congress
NUDW
National Union of Distributive Workers
PAC
Pan African Congress
SACP
South African Communist Party
SAIC
South African Indian Congress
SASO
South African Student Organization
UDF
United Democratic Front
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
WWI
World War I
WWII
World War II


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I AM ALWAYS GRATEFUL for the invaluable love and support I have received from my parents, Samuel Nweke and Victoria Obijele Akunkwo (Nnenne) Akpu. Their belief in equal educational opportunity for their sons and daughter, and their relentless support have encouraged me to believe that I could be whatever I want to be in life. I am deeply grateful to my husband, Dr. Osita G. Afoaku, and our four beautiful children—Mmachukwu Helisita, Nzubechukwu Nancy, Onyinyechukwu George, and Amalachukwu Karen Afoaku—for their love and encouragement during the difficult times.
Friends and relatives to whom I owe much gratitude for their support and encouragement include Nancy M. Collins-Warner, Herrick and Diane Garnsey, Dr. and Mrs. C. M. (Mike) and Julie Churchill, Dr. Beth Prinz, Marianne Dinges, Dorothy Mbanefo, Commy Ukaegbu, Dr. Asopuru Alajemba Okemgbo, and Dr. David L. Coon. My brothers and their families: F. B. O. and Ifeoma Eugenia, Chukwunwike Cyril and Nonyelum Winifred, Chukwunweuba Samuel, and Olisaemeka Charles Akpuenika. My thanks and love to Okey Patrick Nwafor, Roseline Mgbeagheliaku Ekweozor, and Elizabeth UcheChukwu Akpu.
My experience in completing this project would not have been as positive as it turned out to be without a very supportive thesis committee. I owe special gratitude to my adviser, Dr. Marshall Clough, for guiding and steering my research toward a successful end. I am particularly appreciative of his patience and thoroughness throughout the process. I am equally thankful to Dr. Janet Worrall and Dr. Ronald Edgerton for taking their time to review my work at various stages and for providing very constructive comments and suggestions.
CHAPTER 1 Introduction
The best would be to do what they do in Japan - move people with bullet trains into the (white) working areas by day and take them back to their homes at night In the tribal homelands. I don’t see why this country can’t do it; we’ve got the money. But, of course, this is a large country, so it would be more difficult. But this would be the ideal thing. 1
—Gabrielle Malan
In June 1958 he was granted four days’ permission to leave Johannesburg for us to get married - besides being an accused in the Treason Trial he was also banned - I insisted on getting married at home in Pondoland, because nothing could have pleased my father better and I wanted Nelson to see my background. It was an initiation for the kind of life we were heading for anyway because we had to dash back without even completing the usual marriage ceremony in the traditional manner. After the marriage in my home, we were supposed to then get married in his home as well. As far as the elders in the family are concerned, we haven’t finished getting married to this day. 2
—Winnie Mandela
We waited outside the court where they would be driven to Pretoria Central Prison, to wave goodbye to them for the last time. We were in the midst of this huge crowd - I held Zeni’s hand and Zindzi was on my arm - when someone grasped my shoulder. I turned and what do I see? A huge policeman and he says: “Remember your permit! You must be in Johannesburg by twelve o’clock.” 3
—Winnie Mandela
H ISTORICALLY, DOMINANT GROUPS have established legal/ideological frameworks to consolidate and legitimize their hegemonic status across societies. Given the centrality of such arrangements to the preservation of their power and privileges, there is usually no incentive to dismantle these until they