Prof RJ Balfour, 2013

Welcoming remarks to the guests and staff of North-West University, Faculty of Education Sciences (Potchefstroom Campus8th August 2013)

Women’s Day.

Welcome Remarks

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests of the North-West University, the Queen Mother of the Royal Bafokeng, Semane Molotlegi, Potchefstroom Area Manager (Kenneth Kaunda District: Department of Education, North West Province), Ms Sandra Yssel,the NWU Executive Advisor on Transformation and Special Projects to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Marlene Verhoef, our Vice Rector, Teaching and Learning (NWU Potchefstroom Campus), Professor Mariette Lowes, the Directors of the Faculty of Education Sciences, our esteemed members of the academic and support staff, and a very special welcome to our women colleagues and staff.

I would be surprised if anyone here this morning, barring perhaps the Queen Mother, has memories of 9th August 1956, in South Africa. In one of the largest demonstrations staged in this country's history, 20 000 women of all races marched with dignity to Pretoria's Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women to the Prime Minister, JG Strijdom. The march against the pass laws was organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW or FEDSAW). The Federation famously challenged the idea that 'a woman's place is in the kitchen', declaring it instead to be 'everywhere'. Although Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom was not at the Union Buildings to accept the petition, the women of South Africa sent a public message that they would not be intimidated and silenced by unjust laws. After the petition was handed the women sang a freedom song: Wathint` abafazi, Strijdom! Since then, the phrase'wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock) has come to represent the courage and strength of South African women. (SA History.org: 2013).

To be sure the 1950s were tormented years for South Africans and were characterized by increasing participation by women in resistance politics. Between 1950-1960 24 Acts of parliament were passed preventing race groups from:

a) interaction across race lines except as deemed appropriate withina race hierarchy:

b), compelling people to live in prescribed areas,

c) prescribing different quality of education for different race groups;

d) preventing freedom of movement into and out of cities for black people;

e) disallowing freedom of choice to live;

f) compelling the dissolution of political and other forms of labour organization,

g) and making provision for detention without trial for indefinite periods.

In short, the horrific foundations for grand apartheid were set up in this period and would entrench the artificial existence of a race-based society in which privilege was dispensed along race and gender lines. It is remarkable considering the brutality of the regime in this decade and the two decades to follow, that women in South Africa took a leading role in resisting oppression, when in fact of all the groups in South Africa, they were the least empowered.

In every year since my appointment as Dean we have asked our women colleagues in the Faculty as to their ideas for Women’s Day. Two perspectives are clear: those colleagues that see the day as fitting reminder of the struggle for freedom by women on behalf of all South Africans oppressed within race and gender hierarchies, and another group who believe that every day ought to be as significant in terms of awareness and respect, for all women in South Africa.Both perspectives are right, but there is still much work to do: the majority of victims of domestic abuse are women, the majority of victims of rape are women, the majority of victims of incidents of violence visited onyoung people in schools, are women. It was the South Africa freedom fighter and novelist, Zoe Wicomb ,who said that South Africa will not be free until all women are free: there is much still do be done; so much we can still do while we have strength in our bodies to work for right and good in South Africa.

The first National Women's Day was celebrated in 1995. South Africa had just become a democratic country at the time, and the day was declared a national holiday. Since then annual celebrations take place throughout the country. It has become one of the national holidays where activities are organised with women in prominent positions making appearances and giving speeches at different venues across the country. August has since been declared National Women’s Month.With the above context in mind I would like to welcome Ms Sandra Yssel, to Introduce Her Majesty, Semane Mololetgi who will address us this morning.

Timeline of the 1950s with a focus on Legislation and Women’s Activism (SA History.org:2013)

1950

In 1950 Florence Matomela leads an anti-pass demonstration resulting in the burning of passes in Port Elizabeth. Nelson Mandela becomes the new President of African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).

1 May, A general strike against all discriminatory laws and for full franchise rights for all is held. Police opens fire in the Alexandra Township and other areas on the Reef, killing 18 and wounding 30 people.

12 May, The Immorality Amendment Act No 21 of 1950 is passed.
"Notorious Bill of the Malan Government" Unlawful Organisations Bill.

20 June, The Communist Party of South Africa declares that it dissolves itself a few days before the government passed the Suppression of Communism Act, No. 44 of 1950.

7 July, The Group Areas Act, Act No 41 of 1950, is passed
7 July,The Population Registration Act, Act No 30 of 1950, is passed.
17 July,The Suppression of Communism Act, No. 44 of 1950, passed on 26 June comes into force.

2 December, The General Assembly of the United Nations declares, "a policy of 'racial segregation' (apartheid) is necessarily based on doctrines of racial discrimination". [Resolution 395(V)]

1951

The Bantu/Native Building Workers Act, Act No 27 of 1951 is passed.

1 March, Dr. F Malan announces the Separate Representation of Voters Bill to remove Coloureds from the common voters roll in Cape.

May, The War Veterans Torch Commandos, consisting largely of white ex-servicemen opposing government, march to the parliament to protest against the Separate Representation of Voters Bill.

7 May, The Franchise Action Council launch one-day work and school stay away in Cape Town to protest against the Separate Representation of Voters Bill.

30 May, Chief Luthuli succeeds A.W.G Champion as the president of the African National Congress in Natal.

June, Pixley Seme, a founder member and treasure-general of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1912, dies

June, The Separate Representation of Voters Bill is enacted

6 July, The Prevention of Illegal Squatting Act, Act No 52 of 1951 is passed.
17 July, The Bantu Authorities Act No 68 of 1951 is passed.

24 July, Oliver Tambo completes his articles, passes his exams and qualifies as an attorney.

December, Nelson Mandela is banned under the Riotous Assemblies Act.

The Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents Act of No 67 of 1952 includes Black women.

Florence Matomela, one of the first women volunteers during the Defiance Campaign is arrested and spends six weeks in prison. Fatima Meer is banned under the Suppression of Communism Act.

Lillian Ngoyi participates in a protest march against the banning of the Secretary-General of the Garment Workers` Union (GWU), E.S. ("Solly") Sachs.

1952

21 April, Walter Sisulu, Dr. Y.M. Dadoo, A.M. Dadoo and Y.A. Cachalia are detained at Idutywa in the Transkei, because they entered the area without the necessary permission.

27 June, The Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952 is passed.
11 July, The Natives (abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents) Act, Act No 67 of 1952 is passed.

30 July, N. Mandela is served with a warrant for his arrest on a charge of violating the Suppression of Communism Act

2 December, Walter Sisulu is sentenced to 9 months imprisonment, conditionally suspended for three years.

5 December, The United Nations General Assembly sets up a Commission on the Racial Situation in South Africa

1953

The Government announces the Native Labour (Settlement of Disputes) Act in an attempt to control the trade unions.

The first three tribal authorities are established in the Transvaal.

4 March, The Public Safety Act of 1953 is passed.
The Criminal Law Amendment Act No 8 of 1953 is passed.
April, The Bantu Education Act is passed
9 October, The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, Act No 49 of 1953 is passed.

1954

The South African Coloured People Organisation (SACPO) organises bus boycott in Cape Town to protest against the introduction of segregation on buses.

Fietas, Johannesburg: H.F. Verwoed states in his speech in the Senate that the human reality needs to be racially defined and racially organised under the 'supremacy of the white race.'

Florence Matomela becomes the Cape Provincial Organiser of the ANC Women's League.

Dorothy Nyembe becomes Chairperson of the Two-Stick branch Committee in Cato Manor

Phylis Naidoo joins the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and raises funds for detainees arrested for Treason.

Sarah Carneson is banned and can no longer hold office in any union.

Josie Palmer becomes President of the Transvaal branch of FEDSAW

The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) instructs its women and youth sections to work with other organisations to oppose the Bantu Education Act.

1 August, The Natives Resettlement Act, Act No 19 of 1954 is passed The Act gives powers to the Government to remove Africans from any area within and next to the magisterial district of Johannesburg. In essence, this Act wants to effect the removal of Africans from Sophiatown to Soweto, southwest of Johannesburg.

December, The African National Congress (ANC) conference resolves to reject the Bantu Education Act and call on African parents to withdraw their children from primary schools indefinitely as from 1 April 1955.

2 December, The New Prime Minister, J.G. Strijdom, forms his new Government.

1955

The South African Government announces that women must carry passes.

The Black Labour (Settlement of Disputes) Amendment Act No 59 of 1955 is passed.

The Black Sash is formed by six women in Cape Town.

9 February, About 60 000 people are forcibly removed from Johannesburg’s Western Areas, such as Sophiatown, under the provisions of the Group Areas Act. Sophiatown is consequently renamed Triumph.

25 June - 26 June, Approximately 8000 delegates representing the African National Congress (ANC), the Congress of Democrats, the South African Indian Congress (SAIC), the Coloured People’s Congress, and the multiracial South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) meet in Kliptown near Soweto in a Congress of the People.

The Freedom Charter is adopted at the Congress of the People in Kliptown. Albert Luthuli, Dr Yusuf Dadoo and Father Trevor Huddleston are each awarded the Isithwalandwe, the nation’s highest honour.

1 July, The Criminal Procedure Act No 56 of 1955 is passed.

27 October, 2000 Women of all races, co-ordinated by the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW), stages a march in Pretoria to deliver their demands (including their concern about a lack of social services, housing, schools and the threat of the extension of passes to women) to the Prime Minister, J.G. Strijdom.

17 December - 18 December, Lillian Ngoyi becomes the first women to be elected to the African National Congress’s National Executive Committee.

1956

The Natives (Prohibition of Interdicts) Act, Act No 64 of 1956 is passed.

Frances Baard becomes a member of the executive committee of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU).

Hilda Bernstein founds the South African Peace Council, and becomes its national secretary.

2 March, South Africa Act Amendment Act No 9 is passed.
16 March, Riotous Assemblies Act No 17 of 1956 is passed.

31 March - 1 April, The Freedom Charter is finally adopted by the African National Congress (ANC), special conference despite the disruptions and scuffle between African National Congress (ANC) loyalists and Africanists.

7 May, The Industrial Conciliation Amendment Act of 1956 is passed.
18 May, The Separate Representation of Voters Act of 1956 is passed.
1 June, The Native Administration Amendment Act No 42 of 1956 is passed This Act empowers government to slap Africans with banishment order and exile them to remote rural areas far from their homes.

9 August, South African women march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the pass law, under the banner of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW).

Lillian Ngoyi President of (FEDSAW) leads the women’s national anti-pass march to the Union Building in Pretoria.

Dorothy Nyembe leads the Natal contingent of women in a march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

4 October - 6 October, The African People of the Union of South Africa at the invitation of Interdenominational African Ministers Federation attends conference held in Bloemfontein to consider the Tomilson report.

December, Mrs Annie Silinga is arrested for treason and taken to Johannesburg. She is the only African woman from the Western Cape among the accused.

5 December, 156 leaders of the Congress Movement are arrested nationwide throughout on a charge of High Treason. After a trial lasting over 4 years, they are found not guilty and discharged in March 1961 when the trial end.

1957

The Immorality Amendment Act, Act No 23 of 1957, is passed. This Act is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation. It prohibits adultery, attempted adultery or related immoral acts such as sexual intercourse between White and Black people.

References

2013 Accessed on 8 August 2013.

Robert J. Balfour- Dean of Education Sciences (NWU)