Sisters in the Struggle

Women of all races, including those of Indian descent, had been victims of patriarchy, chauvinism and misogyny since time immemorial. Traditional and religious beliefs perpetrated these injustices. Some men also believed that women were not eligible to participate in the resistance against apartheid nor be members of political parties, and this perception only changed in the 1940s. The involvement of Indian women in the liberation struggle has scant representation in literature.Sisters in the Struggle unveils an unchartered historical terrain, highlighting the contributions of Indian women towards non-racialism and equality, and their experiences within diverse political parties. It shifts the post-apartheid liberation stories which have been dominated by the journey of the ANC to other political organisations, who collectively played a significant role in South Africa's road to democracy. Indians are perceived by some as oppressors and exploiters of black labour, rather than as active participants in the struggle against apartheid. This book presents a refreshing perspective of Indians, particularly women, as contributors and activists in the struggle. The book elucidates that the struggle against apartheid was a collective endeavour among the oppressed races and not a one-sided endeavour by the ANC. Therefore, this book presents a fresh perspective to the history of South Africa in which the participation of Indian women against apartheid and colonialism are examined within a gender and political framework.