As we celebrate women this August, it is important to remember the challenges faced by the women, who fought relentlessly for our rights and freedoms. The strife for women’s suffrage in South Africa began in 1889 with the establishment of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Amongst their campaigns was the campaign to secure voting rights for white South African women, on the same merits as men. This was followed by the formation of many other suffrage movements which included the Women’s Enfranchisement League (WEL) which later became known as the Women’s Enfranchisement Association of the Union. Much like its predecessor, the WTCU, the movement had primarily white, English elite women at the helm and thus prioritized their interests. In 1930, the Women’s Enfranchisement Act was enacted, which afforded white women, above the age of 21, the right to vote and stand for elections. In this manner, Leila Reitz became the first female MP in 1933.
During this time, non-white women were prioritising racial justice and equality, rather than gender equality and involvement with the movement. Further still, the laws of the county did not permit non-white women to vote or hold office. This continued even after 1948, when the National Party came into power and South Africa entered the apartheid era; and non-white women increased their efforts for racial justice, arranging and joining resistance movements and the armed struggle.
The sunset of the apartheid regime, more than 60 years after white women won voting rights, saw a major turning point for African and non-white women, in South Africa. The 1994 general elections was the first time women of all races could vote and elect to hold office. The interim Constitution and later, the 1996 Constitution averred the right for women to vote and all other rights flowing from that right.
We thank the women who paved a path for both racial and gender equality, in South Africa.
