Lilian Ngoyi
Banned from public life1911 - 1980 |
Artist: Stephen Maqashela Location: Soweto
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Sunday Times editor Mondli Makhanya and members of Lilian Ngoyi’s family read the memorial plaque, which is fixed to the perimeter wall of the property where the late activist lived. Picture: Debbie Yazbek © Sunday Times Lilian Ngoyi joined the ANC in 1950, during the Defiance Campaign. She was soon elected President of the ANC Women's League, and in 1956 led the women's anti-pass march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Over the next thirty years, Ngoyi was to spend much of her life in detention - often in solitary confinement for months at a time - or confined to her home under banning orders. She was not allowed to leave the general area of her Soweto home, nor to speak in public. Frustrated and unable to make a living, Ngoyi poured her energies into a number of eloquent and passionately written letters to friends and activists worldwide, as well as into her sewing. From The Archives The Private Letters 1971-72Lilian Ngoyi’s private letters were written between 1971 and 1980, the last decade of her life. She was corresponding with Belinda Allan, a young American woman. The Private Letters 1973-75Lilian Ngoyi’s private letters were written between 1971 and 1980, the last decade of her life. She was corresponding with Belinda Allan, a young American woman. The Private Letters 1976Lilian Ngoyi’s private letters were written between 1971 and 1980, the last decade of her life. She was corresponding with Belinda Allan, a young American woman. The Private Letters 1977Lilian Ngoyi’s private letters were written between 1971 and 1980, the last decade of her life. She was corresponding with Belinda Allan, a young American woman. A Plea for Lilian - NaudeMangosuthu Buthelezi and Beyers Naudé wrote several letters pleading Lilian Ngoyi’s cause. Naudé discussed her various domestic and financial needs, while raising the "possibility of her banning order being lifted". A Plea for Lilian - ButheleziMangosuthu Buthelezi and Beyers Naudé wrote several letters pleading Lilian Ngoyi’s cause. Describing himself as one of Ngoyi’s "great admirers", Buthelezi remarks that she had "really suffered". Mobilising the WomenA renowned orator, Lilian Ngoyi urged the League’s 1956 conference to continue the "fight against the extension of passes to women". Banned, AgainLilian Ngoyi was banned from 1961 until 1972, and again from June 1975. She died while still under banning order. 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. Life Stories Isolated for two decadesLilian Ngoyi spent almost two decades banned and confined to her house in Mzimhlope, Soweto, sewing to make a living. Ngoyi's prison is now a monumentThabo Mkhize reports on the Sunday Times Heritage Project’s memorial to Lilian Ngoyi.
Lilian Ngoyi memorial unveiledA 92-year-old cousin of Lilian Ngoyi is so inspired by the memorial erected in Ngoyi’s honour that she is determined to start sewing again. Making the Memorial Who is Stephen Maqashela?He hails from Alexandra, Johannesburg, and calls himself a "general" artist. The Lightbulb Moment: The Artist's ConceptFascinated by how Lilian Ngoyi was able to earn money through sewing until her death, Stephen felt the sewing machine played a significant role in Comrade Ngoyi's life.
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