ANC ward 64 branch hails Charlotte Maxeke’s pioneering contributions

HISTORY recalls political activist Charlotte Maxeke as a woman of many firsts, in her 150th anniversary since her birth, this is what she is remembered for.

She was the first black woman to graduate with a BSc from Wilberforce University, Ohio, in 1903 and the first black African woman to graduate from an American university.

She also attended the formal launch of the South African Native National Congress in Bloemfontein in 1912. It later became the ANC.

This was at a time when women were not allowed membership in political organisations. Maxeke then founded the Bantu Women’s League (BWL) which later became the ANC Women’s League, in 1918.

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared this year as the year of this fearless leader and said a lot can be learnt from her life, bravery, and achievements.

The ANC ward 64 branch gathered at the Montclair Recreational Hall on Saturday, August 14 to commemorate her strength in many liberation fronts.

The Charlotte Maxeke Memorial Lecture addressed by member of the National Assembly, Mina Lesoma, was used as a platform to empower women.

The branch’s deputy secretary, Mbalenhle Nyawose, said among the many take away points, the lecture was about the need for women to continuously and intentionally support one another.

“This can be in business or in politics. The guest speakers also highlighted the need for women to improve themselves academically and otherwise. For them to learn and lead, to be able to make a meaningful contribution in our community and society at large.”

“It is important for people to now learn about those leaders and most importantly, pick up from where they left off. Patriarchy and triple oppression among many other struggles are battles that women have to be in the forefront of and leading unapologetically so,” she said, adding that the contributions of freedom fighting activists in the 1900s can never go unnoticed.

The second guest, communications officer for the provincial SACP branch, Nomcebo Msomi, led the discussion on the de-stigmatisation of periods.

The platform was used to distribute dignity packs to women within the community. Nyawose said that this was done to address the necessity of women’s hygiene.

“We understand that thousands of women aren’t able to afford sanitary towels and the necessary cosmetic products they need. It is therefore important for such discussions to take place and for the ANC to assist where possible.”

“The de-stigmatisation of the period is important that we discuss the stigma that is still there around menstruation. Oftentimes, one is seen as dirty and must be isolated during this period, which is not correct.”

“Culture and religious beliefs have different views on this and such things need to be challenged and changed. Young girls and boys must grow up knowing that such things are natural and must know how to handle them.”

“Having pads speaks directly to the dignity of an individual. We understand the health implications as well that come with not having such so we saw it fit to give young women a dignity pack with a few necessities for,” she said.

Seventy dignity packs were given away on the day and the event was in line with the Covid-19 regulations.