Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize joins the African continent in mourning an icon, an inspiration to many and anti-apartheid activist Mme Lindiwe Myeza, who passed away on Tuesday 14 April.
In her own words during an interview with Christina Landman of the Research Institute for Theology and Religion at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Myeza said: “thank God for allowing me to be me. Blessed are those who dream dreams and make them happen.”
Lindiwe Leah Aida Myeza’s work is not on many people’s lips, but her dream which manifested into action on developing and shaping the black child and women during the turbulent South Africa of the 1960s and 1970s, is all we should remember as we pay tribute to her well-lived life.
Born in 1935 in Sophiatown, Mme Lindiwe, as she was affectionately known, lived most of her life at a time when South Africa was in turmoil, with the youth and oppressed communities fighting against apartheid. Her experiences shaped a fruitful life filled with extensive contributions and the development of disadvantaged communities.
“She was a great source of inspiration and promoted linkages between South African women and other women within the continent affiliated to Pan African Women's Organisation. Her contribution to the advancement of the lives of our women in apartheid South Africa speaks volumes as to who Mme Lindiwe was – a gallant fighter of the right courses of South African People,” said Deputy Minister Mkhize.
Mme Lindiwe Myeza completed her matric at the Mazenod Catholic High School in Durban. She went on to further her studies at Indaleni Teachers Training College, where she completed a Teacher’s Training Diploma and taught at the Charlestown Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal until 1961.
She later became the administrator at the then Baragwanath Nursing College.
The career she had chosen enabled her to advance her passion for the development and upliftment of the black community.
As the chairperson of the Women’s Forum of the African Independent Churches, Myeza endeavoured to bring together churches which were racially segregated during apartheid.
Mme Lindiwe Myeza was also asked to assist in brokering peace negotiations between disputing parties at the Mzimhlope hostel uprising in Soweto, and went on to assist with similar interventions in Thembisa, Vosloorus and Vereeniging.
During those interventions, she worked with young activists like Cyril Ramaphosa, who is today the Honourable President of the Republic of South Africa.
She was able to defy patriarchal tendencies, by utilizing her vast and varied skills to mediate successfully between the warring factions. Defying patriarchy, Myeza also became the first female director of the Wilgespruit Fellowship Centre in Roodepoort – a church-based training centre for the unemployed and politically displayed youth from their communities.
Along her path, Myeza worked with the University of the Witwatersrand to provide support to the many black students who were prevented from writing their final examinations.
Myeza achieved numerous successes and received many accolades and national orders for her hard work and dedication. Amongst her awards, she was honoured with The Order of the Baobab in Silver, a national order from the Presidency for her excellent contribution to the economic upliftment of women and underprivileged communities in South Africa in 2006.
The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa honoured Mme Lindiwe with a Life Support Award which continued to support her until the time of her passing on 13th April 2020. The Star Newspaper presented her with an award in 1977, in recognition of her bravery and resourcefulness.
When the University of South Africa honoured her with the Master of Education Degree, they acknowledged her considerable mobilizing skills like being able to organise for a group of 200 South African women to attend a United Nations (UN) meeting in Nairobi, which focused on issues such as equality, development and peace in 1985. Mme Myeza realised that it was an important event in which South African women should participate.
Using airfare money that she had been saving for herself, she unselfishly sent her daughter and niece in her place. When the delegation returned from Nairobi, Myeza rallied together more than 1 000 women at the Parktonian Hotel to debate the outcomes of the UN meeting and to plan a way forward.
Myeza believed in women empowerment and that women need to be equipped with skills in order for them to become self-sufficient.
She also established the Women's Informal Training Initiative in 1983 which became one of the first women's literacy groups.
Myeza showed her strong commitment to the course by getting involved in voter education ahead of the historic 1994 elections.
“Women recognise and greatly appreciate the contributions Mam Lindiwe has made to change lives, promote literacy and economic upliftment of women from previously disadvantaged South African communities,” added Deputy Minister Mkhize.
Deputy Minister Mkhize sends her heartfelt condolences to Myeza’s daughter Ms. Buhle Myeza, the family at large and her grandchildren.
May her soul rest in peace.
For interviews with Deputy Minister Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize please call
Pelane Mabula-Phakgadi 072 169 2507/ Pelane.Mabula@women.gov.za
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