South Africa: ANC Statement On the Passing of Amina Cachalia

press release

The African National Congress is saddened by the passing of Amina Cachalia today at the age of 82, an anti-apartheid activist and stalwart of our struggle. Comrade Amina, was fondly known played a crucial and visible role in the structures of the liberation movement. She was a prominent member of the South African Communist Party (SACP), and was a key figure in the formation of Federation of South African Women (Fedsaw) and was active in the ANC.

She was a prominent and outspoken figure during the 1956 women march against pass laws and apartheid. She played a critical role in mobilising women and radicalising their programme. She was amongst those who recruited volunteers during the defiance campaign. She is amongst the women who are credited for having placed gender equity firmly as a site of struggle and aligned it to broader struggles led by the ANC. As an individual she lived through the pain of police harassment, imprisonment, house arrests, banning and humiliation. Her prominence during the struggle drew her close to Nelson Mandela, who has been her friend to the last.

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