At 60 years old, the Black Sash is still fighting fit

IT HAS been 60 years since six white women stood up to the apartheid government in an attempt to stop coloured people from being disenfranchised.

While their actions did not force the hand of the apartheid government, it did lead to the formation of the Black Sash.

Little did Jean Sinclair, Ruth Foley, Elizabeth McLaren, Tertia Pybus, Jean Bosazza and Helen Newton-Thompson know that their action would be the birth of a movement, of mostly white women, to stand up against the government until the end of apartheid.

They initially called themselves the Women’s Defence of the Constitution League, but they took on the Black Sash name – because they wore black sashes.

The Black Sash became known for their silent street protests at unjust laws and advice office work. They also formed part of the women’s day march in 1956, when thousands of women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in protest the pass laws.

Today the organisation works with NGOs and community activists on a range of issues, including dealing with the aftermath of apartheid.

Social grant fraud is a big focus for the organisation. They highlight instances involving loan sharks and internal fraud.

Speaking at an event to celebrate their anniversary, Black Sash national director Lynette Maart said their vision is to make human rights real.

“Our aim is to enable all, particularly women and the girl child, to recognise and exercise their human rights, especially their socio-economic rights, and to create a society that has effective laws and delivery systems, including comprehensive social protection for the most vulnerable,” Maart said.

To mark their anniversary they launched Sheena Duncan’s biography, written by Annemarie Hendrikz. Duncan was a long-standing member of the Black Sash. She was the advice office co-ordinator, president and chair of the Black Sash trust.

See Oped, Page 11

Our aim is to enable all to recognise and exercise their human rights