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When reflecting on influential women in the resistance against apartheid, Dorothy Nyembe comes up and that is with good reason. Nyembe joined the ANC at a time when the ANC was becoming demonstrative in their activism, “Dorothy Nomzansi Nyembe, from northern Natal, joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1952, participating as a volunteer in the Defiance Campaign in Durban and was imprisoned briefly on two occasions.” Nyembe continued her rise as an activist and became prominent in the organisation of women’s resistance and activism: “In 1956, Dorothy Nyembe was elected as Vice-President of the Durban ANC Women’s League and a leading member of the Federation of South African Women.” Nyembe was also one of the leaders of the historic Women’s March that took place 9 August 1956 in which women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the imposition of pass laws for women.
The statue of Dorothy Nyembe was unveiled 19 November 2016 and was preceded by a wreath laying at her grave. The statue forms part of a struggle narrative that seeks to educate and remind people on struggle activists, “Zikalala says the history and legacy of our country must serve as a reminder to future generations of where we came from as a nation.” The statue also forms part of a process of recognition: “Statues like that of Mama Dorothy Nyembe, monuments and museums are constructed to preserve and restore our history, especially those of heroes and heroines who have been largely neglected by past government who feared the inspirational value of such statues and memorials for the oppressed communities.”
References
Houston, G., Mati, S., Seabe, D., Peires, J., Webb, D., Dumisa, S., Sausi, K., Mbenga, B., Manson A., and Pophiwa, N., The Liberation Struggle and Liberation Heritage Sites in South Africa (South Africa: Democracy, Governance, and Service Delivery (DGSD) Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), 15 November 2013).
Kubheka, A. ‘Struggle stalwart Dorothy Nyembe’s statue unveiled in uMlazi,’ Available from: https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/struggle-stalwart-dorothy-nyembes-statu… accessed 21 Apr. 21
‘Office of the KZN Premier – Dorothy Nyembe – a pathfinder of our freedom,’ Available from: https://kzntopbusiness.co.za/site/premiers-office-new/view/9183/3985/20… accessed 21 April 2021.