ZAThe article discusses the largely overlooked history of Black women in South Africa who resisted colonial oppression in 1913 by tearing up their identity documents, known as 'passes,' during a protest in the Orange Free State. These women faced harsh conditions, including imprisonment and physical abuse, as they challenged a system that enforced racial segregation and controlled their lives. While the 1956 Women’s March is widely recognized and commemorated, the 1913 protests are less acknowledged, with few records of the participants' names. The author highlights the importance of remembering these women, emphasizing that their resistance was part of a broader struggle against systemic racism. The article references the work of journalist Sol Plaatje, who documented this period as the 'War of Degradation,' and calls for greater recognition of these early activists.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the 1913 protests as a significant but underappreciated moment in South African history, highlighting the systemic oppression faced by Black women and calling for historical justice. The emphasis on reclaiming the stories of marginalized women and criticizing the lack of commemmem
