Betty Moleya
Pretoria - Women who have made a mark in South African society have been featured in a new book titled The Women Before Us. Their Story Does Not End Here.
The book was launched by the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute at Freedom Park yesterday where women panellists spoke about the struggle that women influenced, inspired and pioneered in South Africa, then and now.
The book features 20 women mentees and 20 others who are mentors.
Among them are Lebo Mashile, Dr Thozama April-Maduna, Jane Mufamadi, Shaeera Kalla and Asanda Sizani.
Each chose different women featured in the book and reflected what they learned from them and the role they played in their lives. The panellists ranged from politicians to activists, poets, actresses and academics.
Deputy Public Protector advocate Kholeka Gcaleka said when she first got into law in 2002, it was a white male-dominated industry, which it still is. She said Victoria Mxenge inspired her to continue as a female legal practitioner.
“I started reading about Mama Mxenge, who started her career as a nurse and ended up as a human rights lawyer. Both her careers require compassion and activism, which I find solace in and I believe that is the legacy that should be carried forward,” she says in the book.
Activist Zoe Patel said young women played a critical and integral role in South Africa and chose Dr Angela Davis to reflect on.
“Women were the backbone of every moment of apartheid liberation and breadwinners when their husbands were arrested,” she said.
“Women need to ensure that the next generation is not in the same position as them. They are moving the country forward.
Pretoria News