The Natal Organisation of Women (NOW) was a regional women's organization in
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
in the
Natal
NATAL or Natal may refer to:
Places
* Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, a city in Brazil
* Natal, South Africa (disambiguation), a region in South Africa
** Natalia Republic, a former country (1839–1843)
** Colony of Natal, a former British colony ...
area. NOW was founded in 1983 and affiliated with the
United Democratic Front (UDF).
NOW included women from all ages, class and races. NOW's values were in opposition of those expressed by the
Inkatha's women's groups.
History
Since 1980, women felt that there was a need for "an ongoing programme that would unite women and deal with women's issues."
A group of women founded NOW in December 1983.
One of the founding members was
Victoria Mxenge
Victoria Nonyamezelo Mxenge (1 January 1942, in King William's Town, Eastern Cape – 1 August 1985, in Umlazi, Durban, Natal) was a South African anti-apartheid activist; she was trained as a nurse and midwife, and later began practising law.
...
.
NOW launched the group on August 9, 1984. The issues they focused on included the cost of living, housing and problems surrounding maternity and childcare in South Africa.
The first branches of NOW were located in
Durban
Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...
.
The first president of NOW was
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (; born 3 November 1955), South African Government Information. is a South Africa, South African politician and former United Nations official, who served as the Executive Director of UN Women with the rank of Under-Secret ...
.
When Mxenge was killed, NOW organized a demonstration in Durban.
NOW disbanded in 1990 and members joined with the
African National Congress
The African National Congress (ANC) is a Social democracy, social-democratic political party in Republic of South Africa, South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when ...
(ANC).
Notable members
*
Ela Gandhi
Ela Gandhi (born 1 July 1940), is a South African peace activist and former politician. She served as a Member of Parliament in South Africa from 1994 to 2004, where she aligned with the African National Congress (ANC) party representing the Ph ...
*
Pregs Govender
Pregaluxmi "Pregs" Govender (born 15 February 1960) is a South African human rights activist, author, and politician.
Brought up in a political family she was taking action against apartheid by the age of 14. She became a teacher in Durban joi ...
*
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (; born 3 November 1955), South African Government Information. is a South Africa, South African politician and former United Nations official, who served as the Executive Director of UN Women with the rank of Under-Secret ...
*
Victoria Mxenge
Victoria Nonyamezelo Mxenge (1 January 1942, in King William's Town, Eastern Cape – 1 August 1985, in Umlazi, Durban, Natal) was a South African anti-apartheid activist; she was trained as a nurse and midwife, and later began practising law.
...
References
Citations
Sources
*
*
{{Authority control
1983 establishments in South Africa
1990 disestablishments in South Africa
Anti-Apartheid organisations
Women's organisations based in South Africa