Lilian Ngoyi: These Are Also Hours of Serious Danger

Lilian Ngoyi: These Are Also Hours of Serious Danger

Remembering MaNgoyi: 25 September 1911 – 13 March 1980

“The minister of native affairs has announced that African women will in future be requested to pay poll-tax. This decision had three objects, firstly it is intended to force the African to pay the costs of Apartheid, secondly it is intended to answer the attack on the Nationalists by United party to the effect that the Nationalists are spending more money on Africans than the U.P. ever spent. Thirdly and most important it is an election stunt on the part of the nationalists.

“We will fight against this move. We have in numerous times.

“We are at a time when the oppressed people all over the World are rebelling against colonialism and oppression. We are going through a period when some of this people have bravely fought and won their independence. But these are also hours of serious danger. The imperialists, reading that their days are numbered, are becoming more desperate and restless. The Unlawful aggression in Egypt by the English, French and Israelites carries as an act of aggression and brings the danger of fear very close to our charges. In such dangerous times it became the duty of the women of our country to put the question of peace on the address day. We stand for peace in Africa and the rest of the world. We stand for the objection of weapons. We are against military blocs.

“I close this address by sending our heartiest congratulations to the great daughters of Winburg a United and gallant fight against the passes early this year. It was in Winburg that the passes for women were introduced it was also in this place that the direct action was taken for the first time against the passes for women. The whole of South Africa was impressed by heroism of the women of Winburg. The reverses we suffered there were more than compensated by the historic Pretoria march of 20,000 on the 9th of August this year. This Government speaks and practices colour discrimination, it can pass the most cruel and barbaric laws. It can deport leaders and brake homes. BUT IT CAN NEVER STOP WOMEN OF AFRICA IN THEIR FORWARD MARCH TOWARDS FREEDOM.”

Extracts from Lilian Ngoyi: “Presidential address to the ANC Women’s League, Transvaal – 11 November 1956.

Castro Khwela
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