African Women: An Examination of Collective Organizing Among Grassroots Women in Post Apartheid South Africa
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: This dissertation examines how poor black South African women in rural areas organize themselves to address their poverty situations and meet their practical needsthose that pertain to their responsibilities as grandmothers, mothers, and community membersand assesses their organizations' effectiveness for meeting women's goals.My research is based on two groups that are members of the South African Rural Women's Movement.They are the Sisonke Women's Club Group (SSWCG) and the Siyabonga Women's Club Group (SBWCG).A majority of these women are illiterate and were de jure or de facto heads of households.Based on interviews and participant observation, I describe and analyze the strategies that these women employ in an attempt to alleviate poverty, better their lives, and assist in the survival of their families, each other, and the most vulnerable members of their community.Their strategies involve organizing in groups to support each other's income-generating activities and to help each other in times of emergency.Their activities include making floor mats, beading, sewing, baking, and providing caregiving for members who are sick and for orphans.I conclude that, although their organizing helps meet practical needs based on their traditional roles as women, it has not contributed to meeting strategic needsto their empowerment as citizens or as heads of households.iii Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the memories of my dearest mother and grandmother, whose education and love sustain me to commit to hardwork, perservence, and hope, and to my son, Nkonzoenhle Zondi.Thanks for all the hard work, laughter, craziness (pulling out and eating keys from my keyboard), and for the wet kisses and hugs you gave to mama while she was writing her dissertation.Mama loves you very much.Ngiyabonga bomama besizwe: malibongwe!Many thanks also go to the RWM organization, especially the director, Sizani Ngubane, who kindly allowed me to work with this organization, introduced me to the women I studied, and even helped transporting me to and from fieldwork in times of need.
Author: Gabisile Mkhize
Institution: The Ohio State University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Research Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W2206830572