The African National Congress Women’s League is the women’s wing of the African National Congress (ANC).
It was founded in 1931 as the Bantu Women’s League, with Charlotte Maxeke as its first president. It was integrated into the ANC during the period from 1943, when women were first admitted as members of the ANC, to 1948, when the ANCWL was officially founded.
It participated with the Federation of South African Women in protests against the apartheid-era government, such as the 1952 Defiance Campaign and the passbook protests of 9 August 1956. In 1956, Lilian Ngoyi became the first elected female member of the ANC National Executive Committee.
Among the activists and politicians who were allied with the ANC during the apartheid years are:
- Lilian Ngoyi
- Helen Joseph
- Dorothy Nyembe
- Sophie du Bruyn
- Ray Alexander and Rayn Alexander
- Frances Baard
- Rahima Moosa
- Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Pictured (l-r): Charlotte Maxeke, Lilian Ngoyi & Helen Joseph
Remove all repressive laws now!, African National Congress, c1990-94, South Africa. Image: CALA
Nelson Mandela Day celebrated worldwide
JOHANNESBURG, July 18 (Xinhua) — In Nelson Mandela’s 93 years birthday, a lot of best wishes poured in from around the globe for one of the world’s most loved men.
As Nelson Mandela spent his birthday in his home village of Qunu in the country’s Eastern Cape Province, South Africans celebrated his birthday by singing and doing charitable works.
Earlier in the morning, thousands of South African school children joined in singing a special “Happy Birthday Madiba” for the elderly statesman.
While concerns were raised earlier this year over Mandela’s health, he was reportedly in good spirits on Monday.
President Jacob Zuma, who was meeting with Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday morning, was set to visit Mandela on Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile tributes and well wishes poured in from around the world.
