Elizabeth Mafekeng

Elizabeth Mafekeng (September 18, 1918 – May 28, 2009)[1] was a trade union political leader who fought against the injustices suffered by the working class and against the racial segregation laws imposed by the apartheid system.

Elizabeth was born in a small town near Queenstown, Eastern Cape. Like many African families, Elizabeth's family struggled to make a living. At the age of 14, Elizabeth left her hometown for Paarl situated in the Western Cape Province where she arrived in 1927.[2] In 1939, Elizabeth was employed at the H Jones and Co, a canning factory where she endured long working hours and poor working conditions. Soon Elizabeth became involved in the trade union movement. In no time, she became president of the African Food and Canning Workers Union (FAWU) position she held with a high level of responsibility. Her leadership was crucial in unifying union members from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Like other union leaders such as Elizabeth 'Nanna' Abrahams, Ray Alexander and Zollie Malindi; Elizabeth Mafekeng fought for non-racialism and for a unified South Africa. Due to her active role in the union movement, Elizabeth was banned and forced to live in exile. On the 11th of November 1959, the apartheid regime served Elizabeth with a deportation (banning) order shortly after she had led a huge demonstration in Paarl against an attempt to issue passes to African women.[3] She fled to Lesotho where she endured harsh conditions as well as the heartbreak of being away from her children and husband; however, she continued working relentlessly to bring down apartheid rule.[4] In 1991, Elizabeth returned to South Africa where she continued her involvement in the trade union movement until her retirement due to ill-health. In honour of all the work she did, Elizabeth Mafekeng was awarded with Meritorious Service Posthumously.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Elizabeth Mafekeng Room, FAWU celebrates FAWU Veterans Elizabeth Mafikeng "Rocky" and Liz Abrahams " Nanna" birthdays.
  2. ↑ Sibeko, Archie (2008). , Archie Sibeko's Roll of Honour: Western Cape Comrades 1953-1963. University of the Western Cape & Diana Ferrus Publishers. ISBN 978-0-620-40512-6.
  3. ↑ Elizabeth Mafekeng. , FAWU Tributes Elizabeth Mafekeng. Retrieved 29 October 2010 from http://www.fawu.org.za/index.php?include=veterans/mafikeng.html.
  4. ↑ Myrna, Blumberg (1959). , The Lonely Exile of Elizabeth Mafekeng, Contact, 2(3), 14 November.
  5. ↑ Elizabeth Mafekeng. . Retrieved on October 29, 2010 from http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/people/bios/mafekeng-e.htm.
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