Ellen Kuzwayo is the author of my current read, Call Me Woman

Who was Ellen Kuzwayo, a South African woman and author of three books, including ‘Call Me Woman’, which I am currently reading? It is Women’s Month in SA, and in my previous post, I shared that I was reading this book. Now, I would like to introduce you all to the influential literary and political figure that is Mama Ellen.

Here are seven interesting facts you should know about her:

1. Kuzwayo was a teacher but later became a social worker, a decision she made after realising the needs of young black people in her community. She graduated top of her class at the Jan Hofmeyr School of Social Work alongside struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
2. She became the first black woman to receive an honorary degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, a prestigious, previously ‘white’ university.
3. Like many freedom fighters who challenged the abusive and racist government in South Africa at the time, Kuzwayo was detained for five months for her involvement with the youth in Soweto.
4. In 1979, the Star newspaper named Ellen Woman of the Year. 
5. In 1985, she became the first black woman to win South Africa’s leading CNA Literary Prize for ‘Call Me Woman’
6. In 1994, she was appointed a member of parliament (MP). She retired in 1999 after South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, awarded her an Order of Meritorious Service.
7. She was born 29 June 1914 in the Orange Free State and died in Soweto in 2006.

Sources: sahsitory.org; wiredspace.wits.ac.za; ru.ac.za