Ida Mntwana
Ida Fiyo Mntwana (1903–1960) was a South African anti-apartheid activist.
Biography
Mntwana worked as a dressmaker and became active in politics in the 1950s.[1] After Madie Hall Xuma resigned from the African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) in 1949, Mntwana was her replacement.[2] Mntwana was more radical than her predecessor, organizing women in demonstrations, strikes and other acts of civil disobedience.[2]
In 1954, Mntwana became the president of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW).[3] She helped organize the Congress of the People.[3] She was a leader of the 1955 FEDSAW march to the Union Buildings.[4] Around 2,000 women participated in that march to protest pass laws for women.[4]
Mntwana was one of the defendants in the 1956 Treason Trial.[1] Mntwana died in 1960.[3]
Legacy
Mntwana is represented in one of 55 statues that is part of the National Heritage Monument at Groenkloof Nature Reserve.[5] She earned a posthumous Order for Meritorious Service in 2003.
References
- ^ a b "60 Iconic Women — The people behind the 1956 Women's March to Pretoria (21–30)". Mail & Guardian. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ a b Khaminwa, Muhonjia (2002). "Mntwana, Ida (fl. 1949–1955)". Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Gale Research Inc. Archived from the original on 2017-09-21 – via HighBeam Research.
- ^ a b c "Ida Fiyo Mntwana". South African History Online. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ a b "The Heroes of the South African Women's Struggle". Top Women. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ Moatshe, Rapula (15 September 2015). "Struggle Icons' Pride of Place". Cape Times. Retrieved 13 September 2016 – via HighBeam Research.[dead link]