A coffee table book celebrating South Africa's formidable women was recently launched at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU). The SU Museum, in collaboration with the Transformation Office, hosted the impactful launch of 66 Women Who Built a Better Future for South Africa 66 Years Later.
Edited by Prof Rozena Maart from the 肆客足球 of Kwa-Zulu Natal and former Miss South Africa Joan Madibeng, the book also includes contributions by two SU academics, Dr Jean Farmer and Prof Doria Daniels who both spoke at the event.
The book poignantly captures the stories of 66 South African women, drawing parallels to the historical 1956 march to the Union Buildings when 20 000 women protested apartheid pass laws.
Attended by senior staff, students and guests, the event sparked insightful discussions on the struggles and triumphs of South African women. The speakers highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by women in academia and society.
In her introductory remarks, Dr Zethu Mkhize, Director of the Transformation Office at SU, reminded the audience of the harsh realities faced by women under apartheid and celebrated the legislative advances empowering women today.
Maart shared insights into the motivations and challenges of documenting the experiences of a diverse group of women. She emphasised the importance of recognising women's continuous struggle and contributions across various domains.
“The struggles of women you see in the book are not struggles that people talk about with ease, it's complex and difficult. But what shines through is perseverance, tenacity and the ability to say although I carry my history, I am not my history. I am the person who transcends, I am the person who has overcome, I am the person who thrives," Maart remarked.
She said the book celebrates the grace, dignity, joy, love and wisdom of South African women who personify the resilience of a country that overcame massive historical injustices and cruelty.
The women who are featured in 66 Women Who Built a Better Future for South Africa 66 Years Later come from various fields such as business, academia and the media. They are entrepreneurs, human rights activists, chartered accountants, engineers, chief executive officers, medical experts, educators and marine supervisors – people such as Basetsana Kumalo, Peggy-Sue Khumalo, LeAnne Dlamini, Imani Rappetti, Nwabisa Makunga, Boitumelo Semete, Amanda Dambuza, Nompendulo Mkatshwa and Olwethu Leshabane, among many others.
The event provided a platform for several contributors to share their stories, highlighting the intersectionality of their struggles and collective efforts to overcome systemic barriers. Farmer discussed the ongoing challenges faced by black women in academia, illustrating the strength required to navigate such spaces.
She encouraged young women to continue the struggle an older generation of trailblazers started. “You attained your place in higher education through your parents' and grandparents' sacrifices. You need to continue the struggle. We are not going to watch you stand back and allow people to walk all over you. That is not what the women in 1956 wanted for you. And it is not what the 66 women in this book want for you," Farmer said.
Daniels spoke about the psychological and societal pressures that women endure and overcome, stressing the importance of reclaiming and recognising women's roles in both public and private spheres. She noted that while progress has been made, much work remains to be done to achieve true gender equity.
“I am an emeritus professor and technically retired, but I'm still working like crazy. I'm a first-generation black academic. Often, when students see older people in academia, they think it was smooth sailing for us. They don't realise we occupy a space that comes with a fraught history. My contribution to this book celebrating women is an opportunity to honour the voices of the women who are not here tonight – my mother, my grandmother, my aunts and the aunties of the community who held everything together when our people were dispersed to the wastelands of the Western Cape and all over the country."
She urged young women to claim their voices. “Claim who you are and stand firm. You are here because you deserve to be here. You are here because you have the knowledge and the capabilities. Don't take a backseat." In an environment that can still be hostile to historically marginalised people, women need to support each other, Daniels said. “You need to open the door for others."
Roxanne Ross Manikkan, a notable contributor and the first female commercial diver in the port of Durban, shared her groundbreaking journey, stressing the significance of breaking barriers and setting precedents for future generations of women in male-dominated fields.
The audience was engaged and responsive, participating in a lively question-and-answer session that followed the presentations. The evening concluded with remarks from Farmer, who highlighted the Transformation Office's commitment to promoting gender equality and supporting students and staff in exploring the narratives contained within the book. She extended an invitation to the 肆客足球 community to engage with the book at the Transformation Office where a copy is available.
- Each of the beautifully printed hardcover books is selling for R1 000. 66 Women Who Built a Better Future for South Africa 66 Years Later can be ordered from danielleg@arena.africa.
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