Elizabeth Mafekeng
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Mafekeng 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 .
Elizabeth was born in a small town near Queenstown, Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
. Like many African families, Elizabeth's family struggled to make a living. At the age of 14, Elizabeth left her hometown for Paarl
Paarl
Paarl is a town with 191,013 inhabitants in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Its the third oldest European settlement in the Republic of South Africa and the largest town in the Cape Winelands. Due to the growth of the Mbekweni township, it is now a de facto urban unit with Wellington...
situated in the Western Cape Province where she arrived in 1927 . 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
Elizabeth 'Nanna' Abrahams
Elizabeth 'Nanna' Abrahams was a South African political activist and trade unionist who participated actively in the struggle against apartheid. Elizabeth was born in the Paarl Valley area of Western Cape Province, South Africa...
, Ray Alexander
Ray Alexander
Vernest Raynard Alexander is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. He also played eight seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He played college football at Florida A&M University.-References:...
and Zollie Malindi
Zollie Malindi
Zollie Malindi was a South African trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist. His life journey started in the small village of , near Tsomo in the former Transkei. While growing up, Zollie became aware of racial segregation...
; Elizabeth Mafekeng fought for non-racialism and for a unified South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. 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 . She fled to Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
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 . 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 .