Natal Organisation of Women explained

The Natal Organisation of Women (NOW) was a regional women's organization in South Africa in the Natal area. NOW was founded in 1983 and affiliated with the United Democratic Front (UDF).^[1] NOW included women from all ages, class and races. NOW's values were in opposition of those expressed by the Inkatha's women's groups.^[2]

History

Since 1980, women felt that there was a need for "an ongoing programme that would unite women and deal with women's issues."^[3] A group of women founded NOW in December 1983. One of the founding members was Victoria Mxenge.^[4] NOW launched the group on August 9, 1984. The issues they focused on included the cost of living, housing and problems surrounding maternity and childcare in South Africa.^[5] The first branches of NOW were located in Durban. The first president of NOW was Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.^[6] When Mxenge was killed, NOW organized a demonstration in Durban.

NOW disbanded in 1990 and members joined with the African National Congress (ANC).

Notable members

• Ela Gandhi
• Pregs Govender
• Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
• Victoria Mxenge

References

Sources

• Book: Hassim, Shireen. Women's Organizations and Democracy in South Africa: Contesting Authority. Shireen Hassim. The University of Wisconsin Press. 2006. 9780299213831.
• Book: Meer, Shamim. Women Speak: Reflections on Our Struggles, 1982-1997. Kwela Books. 1998. 0795700822.

Notes and References

1. Book: Sheldon, Kathleen. Historical Dictionary of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rowman & Littlefield. 2016. 9781442262935. 2nd. 202.
2. Book: Geisler, Gisela . Women and the Remaking of Politics in Southern Africa: Negotiating Autonomy, Incorporation and Representation . Nordic Africa Institute . 2005 . 9789171065155 . 72.
3. Web site: Natal Organisation of Women (NOW). 30 March 2011. South African History Online. 8 September 2016.
4. Web site: Mlungisi Griffiths Mxenge and Victoria Nonyamezelo. The Presidency of South Africa. 8 September 2016.
5. Book: Cherry, Janet. https://books.google.com/books?id=YOHHNsobjPIC&dq=%22natal+organisation+of+women%22&pg=PA283. Women in South African History: They Remove Boulders and Cross Rivers. Human Sciences Research Council. 2007. 9780796921741. Gasa. Nomboniso. 283. 'We Were Not Afraid': The Role of Women in the 1980s' Township Uprising in the Eastern Cape.
6. Web site: The Daily Impact: UN Women Taps Former South African Leader. 11 July 2013. Impact. 9 September 2016.