HIS 100 Historical Context and Introduction Template
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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100 THEME
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Dec 6, 2023
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Running head: Project 2
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Project 2: Historical Context and Introduction
Altagracia Felix
Southern New Hampshire University
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Research Plan
Research Question
:
“How did black women influence or play a direct role in the series of
events that led to the dismantling of apartheid in the preceding decade?
Introduction
Apartheid was first implemented by the ruling white party in 1946 due to their fear and belief
that they had to pursue self-preservation which also led them to do many horrible things to the
black people in the decades to come.
Between the years of 1984-1994, South Africa was
experiencing an increase in violence and opposition movements against the South African
apartheid laws that kept the blacks oppressed. There were many organizations such as the
African National Congress (ANC), the military wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK),
and the newly founded United Democratic Front (UDF) mobilizing in and out of the country
fighting for equality.
During this era, these organizations spearheaded various movements such
as the boycott against unfair rent, the censorship of the press, and the implementation of a state
of emergency that allowed government police to do whatever they deemed necessary to prevent
the blacks from uprising.
Although many men such as Nelson Mandela were at the forefront of
this fight since its implementation, many women played an integral role in educating and
mobilizing the people. Without these women on the ground, many of the boycotts would not
have been as successful at putting pressure on the White government. Some of these women
were prominent figures such as Ruth Mompati and Albertina Sisulu who was a prominent figure
at the forefront of anti-apartheid movements since 1950, and an ANC Member and Co-president
of the UDF during the 80’s when the country was experiencing significant pressure from the
blacks to end Apartheid era laws. I will use my primary sources to inform my readers about the
integral role that women played on the ground against apartheid along the side of men. I will use
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my secondary sources to better explain the context surrounding the key events and the outcomes
between 1946-1994.
While the ANC was established by black men women were mobilizing women by handing out
pamphlets and organizing marches. The ANC Women’s League was founded the same year that
the apartheid laws were passed in 1948. During this time, Albertina Sisulu who was the wife of
Walter Sisulu began to take an interest in the politics that her husband was involved in. Walter
recruited Nelson Mandela into the ANC during his time in prison, while his wife continued to
mobilize the South African women to conduct marches for equality. Albertina Sisulu was the
organizer of the 20,000 women anti-pass march held on August 9
th
, 1956. Ruth Mompati joined
the ANC in 1956 after working for Mandela as a typist in his law firm, and also played a vital
role in the march (Mafika, 2016). She was then exiled in 1962 and went on to become the
secretary and head of the women’s section of the ANC (Mafika, 2016). Albertina was also a
nurse and activist who was dubbed the name Ma Sisulu for being a pillar of strength not only for
her family, but also the entire liberation movement as a counselor, nurse and educator of the
leaders and founders of the democratic South Africa. In 1984 during the political unrest, she was
elected Co-President of the UDF and in charge of spearheading the Federations of South African
Women (FEDSAW).
(South African History, 2018). During this time Albertina was in prison
because of her role in the preparation of the UDF launch and was seen as threat to the
government.
The 20,000 women march was a movement by the African women to not only protest the need
for a pass but to also strengthen their voices in the movement. The issue mobilized and
empowered South African women and spoke volumes to the government about South African
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women. When the women arrived at capitol hill, the Prime Minister was not available, and the
petition was instead accepted by his secretary (South African History, 2018).
Resources
Mafika. (2016, June 30). Ruth Mompati statue 'pays tribute to the past'. Retrieved from
https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/south-africa-fast-facts/news-facts/ruth-mompati-
statue-140415
South African History. (2018, October 25). Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu. Retrieved June 22,
2019, from https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/albertina-nontsikelelo-sisulu