Permission is hereby granted...

As a banned person restricted to her tiny house in Soweto, Lilian Nogyi had to ask permission for the most basic things: to go to town to shop for material for her dressmaking business, or to attend the funeral of a relative who had died.

Read two documents giving Ngoyi permission to visit central Johannesburg (1965): and to attend the funeral of her uncle, SM Mphahlele (1969). In the latter case she was allowed to attend the funeral, but not the reception

 

back to the Lilian Ngoyi memorial page

"I am hoping with confidence that, before I die, I will see change in this country."
Lilian Ngoyi
Lilian Ngoyi at her sewing machine.
Picture: © Bailey’s History Archive

IN THE CLASSROOM

Personal letters as historical sources

Working with personal letters is an excellent way of encouraging learners to want to know about people and events in history. They can potentially create an emotional empathy with people who lived in the past.

Lesson plan
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Archive Photo Gallery
Images from the public and private lives of Lilian Ngoyi.
Artwork Photo Gallery
Friends and relatives of Lilian Ngoyi gather for the unveiling of Stephen Maqashela’s artwork.
Audio Archive
A gripping documentary on Lilian Ngoyi’s life and times.
Panorama
Take a 360° tour of the artwork at Ngoyi's home on Nkungu Street, Soweto.
Audio Slideshow