Julia Mavimbela facts for kids

Julia Nompi Mavimbela (December 20, 1917 – July 16, 2000) was a dedicated teacher and community leader in South Africa. When public schools closed during the 1976 Soweto uprising, Mavimbela taught children in Soweto important skills like gardening and reading. She later helped create Women for Peace, a group for women of all races who wanted to bring about democracy in South Africa peacefully. In 1981, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and served in local church leadership positions.

Early Life and Family

Julia Mavimbela was a leader in her college, where she helped look after many students. After getting her teaching certificate, she studied for two more years, focusing on teaching kindergarten. She became the first woman principal at a school in Boxburg.

After her mother passed away, Julia married John Mavimbela. He was one of the people who started the Black Chamber of Commerce in Soweto. Julia helped her husband run a butcher shop. Sadly, on June 9, 1955, John died in a car accident while driving home from work. This left Julia a widow with several children to raise.

Working for Her Community

Teaching and Gardening

After the Soweto uprising in 1976, public schools were closed for two years. Julia Mavimbela gathered local schoolchildren and taught them how to read. She also started community gardens with them. The group was called "Junior Gumboots," named after the black boots miners wear.

While gardening with the students in Soweto, Mavimbela shared an important message. She told them, "Let us dig the soil of bitterness, throw in a seed, show love, and see what fruits will grow. Love will not come without forgiving others. Where there was a bloodstain, a beautiful flower must grow." This taught the children about hope and forgiveness.

Women for Peace

Julia Mavimbela helped start an important group called Women for Peace. This group included women from all races. Their goal was to help South Africa move peacefully towards a true democracy. From 1984 to 1986, Mavimbela was a co-president of the group.

Women for Peace worked on many issues important to women. They asked stores to clearly label powdered milk products so they wouldn't be given to babies. They also asked for teachers to be paid more. The group also worked to make it easier for couples to have their marriages legally recognized, even if they didn't have a formal wedding. They also supported a law that would allow a widow to inherit her deceased husband's property instead of it automatically going to the eldest son. They also asked for playgrounds where children of all races could play together and for improvements in prisons.

Mavimbela was also a vice president of the National Women of South Africa group. She was also president of the Transvaal Region of the National Council of African Women.

Church Membership

Julia Mavimbela joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in 1981. She served in several leadership roles, including as a Relief Society president and a public affairs director. In 1985, when the Johannesburg South Africa Temple was dedicated, Mavimbela was one of the first people to work there.

In 1989, Mavimbela was a speaker at a women's conference at Brigham Young University (BYU). In 1995, BYU honored her for her "outstanding contribution to a profession, a community, a religion." She was also featured in an LDS Church video called Lives of Service.

In 1991, Mavimbela served as an LDS public affairs missionary in Africa. She worked with Mary Mostert. In this role, they met with many important politicians. They shared information about the US constitution while South Africa was creating its new government after Apartheid.

See also

• Black Mormons
• Black people and Mormonism