Dorothy Nyembe

Dorothy Nomzansi Nyembe OMSS (31 December 1931 – 18 December 1998) was a South African activist and politician.

Biography Born near Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, Nyembe was the daughter of Leeya Basolise Nyembe, whose father was Chief Ngedee Shezi. She attended mission schools until Standard 9. She had her only child when she was fifteen.

She was elected to the National Assembly in 1994. She led women from Natal in the Defiance Campaign of 1956. In 1956 she was elected as the vice president of the Durban ANC. Beer Halls, taking jobs away from many women. In 1961, Nyembe was recruited into the Umkhonto we Sizwe and worked with a number of allies such as Chief Albert Luthuli, Moses Mabhida, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo." She was released on 23 March 1984, after her release, Nyembe started working for Natal Organisation of Women (NOW). NOW served a number of purposes. Fighting against rent increases, transport costs, poor education and lack of child care facilities are the main focus of the organization." Nyembe's time in the defiance campaign ended when, in 1953, the British passed laws that banned protest meetings. After her election president of the Natal division in 1959 Nyembe was involved in the planning of opposition to pass laws. Pass laws would have made it required that all black citizens carry an identity card around in white areas. After the Sharpeville massacre and the ANC and the PAC being banned under newly passed the Unlawful Organisations Act. Nyembe joined the armed wing of the ANC uMkhonto weSizwe (MK). Under this operation she participated in sabotaging government facilities.

Natal Women's Revolt As a leader of the Natal Women's Revolt, Nyembe was with other South African black women against the municipal system of beer halls: it was illegal to brew beer at home. Beer Halls took a major source of income away from women and funded the apartheid administration. This organization also sought the destruction of the Durban Corporation property. Nyembe was fighting for influx control, passes for women, and permits to seek work.

Awards

Awarded FAO Ceres Medal in 1976.

During her career she received the Order of Friendship of Peoples, from the Soviet Union, and the Chief Albert Luthuli prize, the latter in 1992.

Order for Meritorious Service in silver (2003).