Our maps may soon direct us to Winnie-Madikizela Drive (pronunciation notwithstanding). Gauteng transport MEC Ismail Vadi said the province has recommended that William Nicol Drive be renamed.
Mam’ Winnie was instrumental in the country’s attainment of democracy and offered consistent resistance against apartheid. As the country waits for this recommendation to be processed, here are other women icons who have been honoured with prominent roads and public spaces named being after them.
1. Miriam Makeba Street in Newtown, Johannesburg
Ma Miriam, one of South Africa’s most celebrated musical icons, testified at the United Nations in 1963 about apartheid, which resulted in her South African citizenship being taken away. In 1986, she was awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Peace Prize from the Diplomatic Academy for Peace.
2. Ruth First Highway in Umhlanga, Durban
Ruth, a journalist, academic and political activist, was central in the formation of the South African Communist Party. In the 1950s their home in Roosevelt Park was an important centre for multiracial political gatherings. She was also arrested and charged in the Treason Trial.
2. Lilian Ngoyi Street in Newtown, Johannesburg
Ma Lilian along with Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn and Albertina Sisulu led the 1956 women’s anti-pass march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria – one of the largest demonstrations staged in South African history. She was the one who approached apartheid prime minister JG Strijdom to hand over thousands of petitions for the cause.
3. Florence Ribeiro Avenue, Pretoria
Ma Florence diligently served the Mamelodi community. Together with her husband, they collected evidence about the atrocities committed by the apartheid government. They also sheltered and offered assistance to victims of apartheid. Plus they offered financial assistance to many promising pupils in need.
4. Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg
Mary became the first woman on the City Council in Johannesburg in 1921. In the following year she was arrested during a Mine Worker’s strike for allegedly leading the group that set fire to the park station.
5. Charlotte Maxeke Street in Pretoria
Ma Charlotte was involved in politics throughout her adult life and helped organise the Bloemfontein anti-pass movement in 1913. She also founded the Bantu Women’s League of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) in 1918.
6. Helen Suzman Boulevard in Cape Town
Helen was known for her strong public criticism of the National Party’s policies of apartheid. She was a member of parliament for 36 years and a member of the statutory Human Rights Commission after her retirement.
7. Adelaide Tambo Drive in Durban
Ma Adelaide encountered politics when she was 10 years old. She later worked as a nurse at the Pretoria General Hospital and at a home in London. Exiled, she became a founder member of the Afro-Asian Solidarity Movement and the Pan-African Women’s Organisation until the unbanning of all political parties.
