Remembering the Women Resistance March in South Africa

In 1956, in August to be specific, over 20, 000 women of all races in South Africa marched peacefully against the Apartheid government’s pass laws. They demanded equal rights and justice for all. The march was successful to the extent that valuable changes were made in the Constitution to accommodate their demands and requests. Since then, women celebrate the month of August as a pivotal turning point in the country’s history. The commemoration is enjoyed by all with a public holiday on August 9.

Two months ago, women in South Africa trooped to the streets to continue to demand their rights as equal stakeholders in the country. Campaigns around this period are usually centered on promoting women’s empowerment. According to available data, the unemployment rate among women in the country stands at 38.3%. To many, this is unacceptable.

Photo Credit: Janette Beckman Getty Images

Mariam Makeba became the first African to win a Grammy in 1966. Her song, Pata Pata peaked at no.12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and she was named TIME’s Woman of the Year in 1967. This legend suffered indignities for her people. She was exiled and had her passport taken away due to her strong political views. This didn’t stop her from voicing her concerns, twice, at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York. 

Brenda Fassie, who was labeled the madonna of the township, launched her 1983 hit record ‘Weekend Special’ during the 1976 student uprisings. Her school was directly. The result was that her music became the voice of the youth. 

In 1990, she released the single Black President, a tribute to Nelson Mandela, which was banned by the apartheid regime. She stopped singing in English to protest this ban. Her subsequent hits were churned out in vernacular. Brenda lived by her own rules and championed different causes through her platform.

Photo Credit: Ed Thrasher—MPTV/Reuters

Another musician Lebo Mathosa was heavily inspired by Brenda. She started her music career with Boom Shaka, a group consisting of herself, Thembi Seete, Junior Sokhela, and Theo Nhlengethwa. Their first record ‘About Time’ was released in 1994, the year apartheid was abolished. After years of garnering fame with Boom Shaka, Lebo pursued a solo career which was instrumental in defining and creating the Kwaito music genre, where the post-apartheid youth formed its identity. She also famously fought for and won full publishing rights for all her records, something that artists hardly achieve in their lifetime. 

On her part, Thandiswa Mazwai started her career in kwaito group Bongo Muffin. Their track ‘Tatisguhbu’ was the anthem for 90s post-apartheid rebellion. Thandiswa continues to advocate through her life and music. She champions queer African voices, a group that is facing a prolonged pandemic of gender-based violence, and under threat. One queer person is murdered every 4 hours, according to recent statistics. Their existence in South Africa is characterized by fear and trauma.

As the women continue to fight for a better life, the mode of protest and interaction is changing. Modern technology and social media have become the main space for keeping these conversations alive throughout the year. Initiatives like Sonke Gender Justice provide support for individuals affected. The government also tackles these issues in conjunction with NGOs, while private organizations step in to cover gaps where they exist. 

The new wave of artists in 2021 inspired by past and present icons are passionate about using their platforms to advance good causes.

Award-winning Tsonga musician Sho Madjozi recently launched an initiative selling traditional Pedi, Tsonga, and Venda children’s attire, with proceeds going directly to women tailors. This benefits their communities in the long term. Sho expressed her views thus: “To the future stars, you are so worth it, and long live the beauty and creativity of those who came before us.”

Musicians such as Mr. All of It, and Moozlie recently promoted a collection of T-shirts with a photo of the singer taken by South Africa’s famous photojournalist, Neo Ntsoma, printed on the front. All proceeds went to the Lebo Mathosa foundation, which is ‘in pursuit of social justice through the entertainment industry.’

Media personalities, actors, poets, painters, writers, designers also work within their fields, each doing their part to advocate for a healthier industry for all. 

The work of Activists Penny Lebyane, Rosie Motene, and Ntsiki Mazwai, to name a few, have advocated for gender rights and equality in the industry by publicly supporting victims of gender-based violence, and providing networks of support, healing, and safety on their platforms. Entertainment lovers view this as a good development because in the past, the industry came under fire when the likes of Lebo Mathosa and Brenda Fassie died. Their passing, controversially linked to substance abuse was viewed as premature and needless. 

While the achievements of our past heroes are admirable, it is incredible to think that they achieved so much in a time where cellphones and the internet were none existent. Now that the women’s month celebrations and  campaigns are over, what is next?

Within the entertainment family, it is believed that this may be the right time to create a safer atmosphere for artists to create impactful political work for the African women of today. With better access to information and an incredibly talented pool of artists, the future feels very bright for South African women’s ongoing musical protest.


Mwamainda is a journ

Another musician Lebo Mathosa was heavily inspired by Brenda. She started her music career with Boom Shaka, a group consisting of herself, Thembi Seete, Junior Sokhela, and Theo Nhlengethwa. Their first record ‘About Time’ was released in 1994, the year apartheid was abolished. After years of garnering fame with Boom Shaka, Lebo pursued a solo career which was instrumental in defining and creating the Kwaito music genre, where the post-apartheid youth formed its identity. She also famously fought for and won full publishing rights for all her records, something that artists hardly achieve in their lifetime. 

On her part, Thandiswa Mazwai started her career in kwaito group Bongo Muffin. Their track ‘Tatisguhbu’ was the anthem for 90s post-apartheid rebellion. Thandiswa continues to advocate through her life and music. She champions queer African voices, a group that is facing a prolonged pandemic of gender-based violence, and under threat. One queer person is murdered every 4 hours, according to recent statistics. Their existence in South Africa is characterized by fear and trauma.

As the women continue to fight for a better life, the mode of protest and interaction is changing. Modern technology and social media have become the main space for keeping these conversations alive throughout the year. Initiatives like Sonke Gender Justice provide support for individuals affected. The government also tackles these issues in conjunction with NGOs, while private organizations step in to cover gaps where they exist. 

The new wave of artists in 2021 inspired by past and present icons are passionate about using their platforms to advance good causes.

Award-winning Tsonga musician Sho Madjozi recently launched an initiative selling traditional Pedi, Tsonga, and Venda children’s attire, with proceeds going directly to women tailors. This benefits their communities in the long term. Sho expressed her views thus: “To the future stars, you are so worth it, and long live the beauty and creativity of those who came before us.”

Musicians such as Mr. All of It, and Moozlie recently promoted a collection of T-shirts with a photo of the singer taken by South Africa’s famous photojournalist, Neo Ntsoma, printed on the front. All proceeds went to the Lebo Mathosa foundation, which is ‘in pursuit of social justice through the entertainment industry.’

Media personalities, actors, poets, painters, writers, designers also work within their fields, each doing their part to advocate for a healthier industry for all. 

The work of Activists Penny Lebyane, Rosie Motene, and Ntsiki Mazwai, to name a few, have advocated for gender rights and equality in the industry by publicly supporting victims of gender-based violence, and providing networks of support, healing, and safety on their platforms. Entertainment lovers view this as a good development because in the past, the industry came under fire when the likes of Lebo Mathosa and Brenda Fassie died. Their passing, controversially linked to substance abuse was viewed as premature and needless. 

While the achievements of our past heroes are admirable, it is incredible to think that they achieved so much in a time where cellphones and the internet were none existent. Now that the women’s month celebrations and  campaigns are over, what is next?

Within the entertainment family, it is believed that this may be the right time to create a safer atmosphere for artists to create impactful political work for the African women of today. With better access to information and an incredibly talented pool of artists, the future feels very bright for South African women’s ongoing musical protest.


Thobejane is a journalist

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