Classroom
Classroom Exercises
These exercises are designed to assess the understanding of the learners on the content of the struggle text and are thus an important didactic tool. So as not to disrupt the flow of the text they are grouped together here.
For the sake of convenience, in each case the heading of the relevant section links the exercises to the particular part of the text.
Introduction
1. Why is it important to study the role women played in South African history? Begin by carefully reading the Introduction and the chapter South African Women in the 20th Century. Next, compile a list of reasons in response to the question. Try to provide a brief explanation or an example to illustrate each point you have made.
South African women and the new century.
1. What was the position of women at the beginning of the 20 th century?
Write an essay of about a page in length on this topic, giving examples to illustrate your discussion.
2. Choose one of the prominent women discussed in this section. Discuss how she broke away from the gender conventions that limited the role of women in South Africa at the turn of the century.
3. How did Indian women show that they were breaking free from the ‘confines of the kitchen' in 1913? How successful were they in their campaign?
We have done with pleading!
1. Why and how did women demonstrate in the Free State in 1913 and how successful was their campaign?
2. Arrange an interview with a woman who can remember having to carry a reference book. Write down her memories about how she felt and then tell the class about her experiences.
3. Discuss the formation of the BWL and explain its importance as a stage in the development of the role of women in South Africa.
4. Who was the leading female activist among black women in the period? Discuss why her role was so important in a study of women in the early 20 th century.
The 1920s: Women, employment and the changing economic scene,
1. Write an essay on changes that took place in the economic scene in the 1920s and show how these changes impacted upon South African women.
2. Discuss the role played by Josie Palmer in the women's struggle. Use the SAHO website or your school library to see what else you can find out about her.
3. What was the main aim of the WEAU? Describe how the women accomplished their goal.
4. Were women also involved in the 1922 Rand Revolt? Discuss.
5. Read about the women's protest movements in the 1920. Select one of these and make a list of the leading women involved. Try to find out more about these women.
The 1930s: Trade Unionism blossoms and women become more assertive,
1. Hold a class discussion on why the 1930s were difficult years for South Africans across the board.
2. Explain why the ideas of the CPSA appealed to South African women in the 1930s.
3. Try to find more information on the life and work of Cissie Gool, and then write a short essay on her contribution to the women's struggle.
4. Why were trade unions formed? List some of the women who were leading members of trade unions.
Women in the schizophrenic 1940s: WW2 and its aftermath,
1. Do you agree that the 1940s could be described as ‘schizophrenic'? Give examples to illustrate your opinion.
2. Discuss the reasons why the ANC experienced a revival in the 1940s.
3. What important turning point occurred in white politics in 1948? Discuss why you think it was a turning point.
4. Write an essay on trade unionism among women in the 1940s. Name some of the prominent women who were organizers.
5. Do some research (on the internet or in the library) on the way Indian women participated in the anti-government resistance in 1946. Who would you say was the leading Indian woman activist at the time? Which other Indian women were involved?
The turbulent 1950s: Women as defiant activists,
1. Do you agree that it is correct to describe the 1950s as ‘turbulent'? Look the word up in the dictionary. Then give reasons for you opinion.
2. What was the Defiance Campaign? Discuss the contribution made by women to this campaign
3. What reasons did Dora Tamana give in 1953 to explain why women would never consent to carry passes? Give your answer in your own words
4. Write an essay of about a page on the formation and functions of the FSAW. Remember to say when and why it was formed and who the leading members were.
5. Try to find out if there is a woman in your community who was living in Sophiatown and experienced forced removal from the area. Using her memoirs write an essay, pretending that you are a Sophiatown resident who went through that traumatic experience.
6. Discuss the role of women in the Congress of the People at Kliptown in 1955.
7. Do some research on either Florence Matomela or Frances Baard. Add your findings to the information given in this booklet and then write a brief biography of one of these two women.
The women's 1950s anti-pass campaign: ‘You have struck a rock',
1. Describe the women's protest at the Union Buildings in 1955. Compare it briefly to the march a year later.
2. Who were the leaders of the Women's March of 1956 and what preparations did they make to ensure that the event was a success?
3. Do you think that it is appropriate that each year on Women's Day South Africans should remember the women who participated in the Women's March of 9 August 1956? Why was it such an important milestone in the history of women's resistance in South Africa? Discuss fully. You should perhaps hold a class discussion on this important topic before you begin your essays.
4. See what additional information you can find out about either Lilian Ngoyi or Helen Joseph. Write a paragraph on the contribution of one of these two women.
Women's resistance in the 1960s: Sharpeville and its aftermath,
1. Explain why the FEDSAW declined in the 1960s.
2. Discuss the rise of the Black Consciousness Movement. Name some of the prominent women who were associated with this movement .
3. Write an essay on female Indian activism in the 1960s. Give a list of the leading women involved.
4. Winnie Mandela, although a controversial figure, played and important role in the women's resistance movement. Do you agree? Explain your answer in an essay of about a page.
5. Who was Helen Suzman and why do we remember her name when we discuss the role of women in the 20 th century?
Women's role in the 1970s: Soweto and mounting pressure on the apartheid state.
1. Make a list of women who played a prominent role in the Black Consciousness movement of the 1970s. What affiliated organisations did these women form? Why did these organisations not exist for long?
2. What was the National Indian Council? By what name was this council subsequently known? Write a paragraph on why the Indian people rejected the idea of the Council.
3. Write a paragraph on the role of Linda Komape in the 1970s.
4. Caesarina Makhoere was involved with the issue of black education. Why do you think she has been chosen as one of the prominent women of the 1970s (hint: What important turning point in the resistance struggle took place in the mid-1970s?)
Apartheid crumbles: Women in the turmoil of the 1980s.
1. Write a paragraph on the formation and role of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
2. The Natal Organisation of Women (NOW) was an important women's organisation of the 1980s. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
3. What important umbrella trade union was formed in the mid-1080s? Discuss whether women play a role in this organisation today.
4. Did Emma Mashinini play an important role in trade unionism? Discuss.
5. Give an account of the activities of the Black Sash organisation in the 1980s.
The pre-election period: Women in the early 1990s.
1. Explain why women were able to move to the fore again in the early 1990s.
2. Did you perhaps accompany your parents in the queues outside the polling stations on 27 April 1994? What do you remember about the mood of the crowds on that historic day? Do a survey among adults in your community to find out about their impressions of that election. Then write an essay of about a page on the 1994 election.
3. Who is Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi and what post dies she currently hold? Write a paragraph on her role as a female activist.
4. Chose one of the prominent Indian women who has been discussed in this booklet and discuss her role in the liberation struggle.
Women in the new democracy.
1. Who is the most powerful women politician in the country at the moment? Write an essay on her activities prior her appointment. Do you agree that her appointment was well-deserved? Discuss.
2. Make a list of women who in January 2006 are either ministers or deputy ministers in the ANC government. Do you agree with the statement that the present government has a good record in empowering South African women?
3. Who is the present (2006) Minister of Education? She has been in the news recently on connection with the 2005 matriculation results. Write a short paragraph on her role in the pre-1994 period.
4. Mamphela Ramphlele is an outstanding example of how an intelligent, ambitious women can succeed professionally in South Africa and overseas. Discuss fully.
TO CONCLUDE:
Hold a class debate, to be followed by a class discussion when you have finished studying the material in the booklet. Divide the class into two groups and elect a lead speaker and second-speaker for each side (one to speak on the importance of women's history and the other to oppose it). Prepare your arguments well, using the material in the booklet and the exercises you have prepared in your study of the Imbokotho booklet.
SET UP A CLASS EXHIBITION:
As 2006 is the celebration of 50 years since the Women's March, and you have learnt of the brave stand by South African women of all races in the 20 th century to realise their aspirations for freedom, national identity and gender equality, why not set up an exhibition on some aspect this topic at your school?
Your presentation could take the form of a collection of memorabilia, photographs, statements collected from present-day eminent women, or even a play acted by the learners in the senior classes. All learners should contribute by bringing photographs, personal memoirs, testimonies, etc about South African 20 th century women who have played a role or made some significant contribution. The exhibition can be as wide or as focused as you decide to make it, and it can take whatever form you wish!
Perhaps your history teacher or other senior staff members at your school could invite a famous woman to visit your school to give talk about her experiences. Remember, of course, that such women lead very busy lives with many public engagements, so you would have to make contact (by email, telephone or written letter) as early in the year as possible if you would like your chosen personality to be present at your school on 9 August (which is Women's Day, a public holiday) or as close to that date as possible. There is a list of eminent women at the back of the Imbokotho booklet. By consulting the ‘Personalities' section of the website www.sahistory.org.za, you can establish which of these women are still alive, and might be prepared to come to your school to speak of their experiences.
See how innovative you can be to remember the part played in our history by twentieth-century South African women.
South African History Online would be most interested to hear about your efforts. Contact us at the email address: info@sahistory.org.za to tell us what you have arranged at your school.
Related:
Public contribution
