Black Sash facts for kids
The Black Sash is a South African group that works for human rights. It started in Johannesburg in 1955. It was a non-violent resistance group for white women who believed in fairness and equal rights.
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How the Black Sash Started
The Black Sash was founded on May 19, 1955. Six white women, Jean Sinclair, Ruth Foley, Elizabeth McLaren, Tertia Pybus, Jean Bosazza, and Helen Newton-Thompson, started it. They first called their group the Women’s Defence of the Constitution League.
The press later called them the Black Sash. This was because the women often wore black sashes at their protests. These black sashes showed they were sad about changes to the South African Constitution. The founding members met for tea in Johannesburg. They decided to protest against a law called the Senate Act. They held a large protest with 2,000 women. They marched from Joubert Park to the Johannesburg City Hall.
Fighting Against Apartheid
The Black Sash first fought against removing "Coloured" (mixed-race) voters from the voting list. This was happening in the Cape Province because of the National Party government.
As the apartheid system grew, it affected every part of life in South Africa. Black Sash members protested against the Pass Laws. These laws controlled where non-white South Africans could live and work. They also protested against other apartheid laws.
The group later opened "advice offices." These offices gave information to non-white South Africans about their legal rights. This was a very important part of their brave work. They helped many people affected by unfair laws.
Between 1955 and 1994, the Black Sash clearly showed that some white people were against apartheid. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Black Sash and the National Union of South African Students were almost the only white groups consistently opposing the government outside of Parliament.
Its members volunteered to help families affected by apartheid laws. They held regular street protests. They spoke at political meetings. They told Members of Parliament about unfair situations. They also held silent protests outside Parliament and government offices. Many members were treated badly in their own white communities. It was common for women wearing the black sash to be physically attacked by people who supported apartheid.
Sheena Duncan joined the Black Sash in 1963. She led the group for many years and became its life president. During her time, many small books were written. These books were translated into local languages. They helped inform people about their legal rights under apartheid.
In the 1980s, the Black Sash started a group called The Transvaal Rural Action Committee (TRAC). This group helped non-white communities who were forced to move from their land. It later became part of the National Land Committee.
The Black Sash also created and funded the Rural Women's Movement (RWM) in 1986. This group supported the rights of non-white women in rural areas, especially regarding inheritance and land ownership. TRAC hired Lydia Kompe to lead the RWM in 1986. Nomhlangano Beauty Mkhize became its first chairperson.
In 1983, the Black Sash asked for an end to military conscription. This was a law that made young white men join the army. The group helped start the End Conscription Campaign. This campaign worked against compulsory military service.
The End of Apartheid
The Black Sash's resistance work mostly ended in the early 1990s. This was when apartheid ended. The ANC was allowed to operate again. Also, Nelson Mandela was released from prison.
Nelson Mandela recognized the important role of the Black Sash when he was released. Other political leaders also praised their work. Before the 1994 multi-racial elections, the Black Sash helped teach people how to vote. They also made a booklet called You and the Vote.
In 1995, the group changed. It became a non-racial humanitarian organization. Its new goal was to "make human rights real for all living in South Africa."
In May 2015, the Black Sash celebrated its 60th anniversary. The group now focuses on education, training, speaking up for rights, and watching to make sure rights are followed in communities. Two books were launched to celebrate the Black Sash's history. These were Standing on Street Corners: a History of the Natal Midlands Region of the Black Sash and a biography by Annemarie Hendrikz.
Leaders of the Black Sash
- Ruth Foley 1955 - 1957
- Molley Petersen 1958 - 1959
- Eulalie Doreen Stott 1960 - 1961
- Jean Sinclair 1961 – 1975
- Sheena Duncan 1976 – 1978
- Joyce Harris 1979 - 1982
- Sheena Duncan 1983 – 1986
- Maria Macdiarmid "Mary" Burton 1987 – 1990
- Jennifer de Tolly 1991 – 1994
See also
- Feminism in South Africa
- Sandra Botha
- Sheena Duncan
- Ruth Hayman
- Mary Renault
- Noël Robb
- Helen Zille
