NAME: YAMIHLE STOKWE

GRADE: 11A

SUBJECT: HISTORY

EDUCATOR: MR E.VAN WYK

THE 1956 WOMAN’S PROTEST

The role of woman in the fight against apartheid in

South Africa was significant and essential in the
struggle of freedom and inequality. Woman played
various roles in the anti-apartheid movement
including organizing and participating in protest,
boycotts, and civil disobedience campaigns, as well
as providing leadership and support to other
communities.

Woman faced multiple forms of discrimination and

oppression under apartheid, including rational,
gender and economic inequalities. Despite these
challenges they continued to organize and resist
against apartheid regime, often at great personal
risk. Women were subjected to arbitrary arrest,
detention, torture and even death for their activism
The 1956 woman’s protest was historic protest that
took place on August 9,1956, in Pretoria, South
Africa. The protest was organized by the Federation
of South African Woman (FEDSAW), led by notable
woman such as Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima
Moosa, Sophia Williams- De Bruyn and Albertina
Sisulu.

The march was organized in response to the

introduction of the apartheid government’s pass
laws, which required black South African women to
carry passes, restricting their movement and making
it difficult for them to find work and support their
families. The protest was also a broader call for
equal rights and an end to the apartheid system.

20 000 woman of all races and backgrounds, some

from as far as Cape Town and Port Elizabeth,
marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the
administrative captain of South Africa, to present a
petition to the government. The petition contained
over 100 000 signatures and demanded an end to the
pass laws and the elimination of all discriminatory
laws and policies in South Africa
The 1956 Woman’s march was a significant moment
in the history of South Africa’s struggle against
apartheid. It demonstrated the power of woman’s
collective action highlighted the crucial role of
woman in the anti-apartheid movement. The protest
also brought attention to the struggles of black
woman in particular, who forced intersecting forms
of oppression as both woman and black South
Africans

Today the 1956 woman’s march is commemorated

in South Africa as a National Woman’s Day, on the
9th of August as a public holiday that celebrates the
contributions of woman to South African society and
honors the legacy of the woman who participated in
the march. The event is also remembered as a key
moment in the fight for human rights and equality
in South Africa and serves as an inspiration to
womans movements around the world.

WATHINTA ABAFAZI WATHINTA

IMBOKODO!!
YOU STRIKE A WOMAN YOU STRIKE
A ROCK!!
SOPHIA WILLIAMS DE- BRUYN

Sophia Williams-De Bruyn is best is a South African

anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist. She was
born on April 23, 1938, in Villageboard, suburb of
Port Elizabeth, South Africa. At the age of 18 she
became involved in the anti-apartheid struggle and
joined the Garment Workers’ Union, where she rose
through the ranks to become a shop steward

She was best known for her role as one of the leaders
of the 1956 woman’s march to the Union Buildings
in Pretoria. At the time, she was just 18 years old
and working as a seamstress. The march was
organized to protest against the discriminatory pass
laws that required black women to carry passes,
which restricted their movement and made it
difficult for them to find work and support their
families

After the 1956 woman’s march Sophia continued to

be an active participant in the anti-apartheid
struggle. She was involved in the formation of South
African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) and
became its first woman organizer. She also worked
closely with the African National Congress (ANC)
and was a member of its woman’s league.

Sophia Williams-De Bruyn was arrested several

times for her activism and was subjected to
harassment and intimidation by the apartheid
government. Despite this, she continued to be a vocal
advocate for human rights and social justice. After
the end of apartheid, she served as a member of
parliament and was appointed as the South African
Ambassador to Liberia.

Today, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn is considered as

one of the most prominent and influential woman in
South African politics. Her activism and leadership
played a significant role in the anti-apartheid
struggle, and she continues to be a symbol of
resistance of resilience for many South Africans. She
has been recognized and honored for her
contributions to the struggle for human rights and
social justice, including being awarded the order of
Luthuli, one of the highest honors in South Africa.
Index page

Page 1 : cover page

Page 2 : index page
Page 3-5 : 1956 woman’s march
Page 6-8 : Sophia Williams
Page 9 : pictures
Page 10 : bibliography
Page 11 : rubric

Bibliography
1.https:\\saha.org.za
2.https:\\artsandculture.google.com
3.https:\\issuu.com
4.https:\\www.sahistory.org.za