Malibongiwe: South African photo exhibition opens in Kigali

A month-long South African exhibition featuring portraits of women, who actively played a role in the fight against the apartheid regime in South Africa, kicked off on Friday evening with an opening reception at Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali. Organised by the Embassy of South Africa, the exhibition aims at promoting nationalism as well as recognising the role women played for South Africa to eliminate apartheid.The exhibition will see members of the public have a look at pictures and read the women’s history. “We want to recognise the role of women who contributed to the fight against Apartheid in South Africa not only in Rwanda, but all over the world,” said George Nkosinati Twala, South African High Comissioner to Rwanda. During the struggle, the women were forced into exile while others lost their lives and their loved ones.“South Africa as a country has a lot in common with Rwanda; so this actually demonstrates the role of women in national development,” Twala said.Twala mentioned some of the names of the women who played various roles in the fight against injustice. He said, Tambo Adelaide joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), a youth wing of the African National Congress (the current ruling political party), at the age of 18. Adelaide later married Oliver Tambo, one of the founders of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) alongside Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Ashley Peter Mda. Due to the prevailing volatile situation then, Adelaide was forced to seek political asylum in London, United Kingdom from early 60s until 1990 when she returned home.While in exile, she was credited as a “great mother” for other South Africans living in London through supporting and guiding them. When she came back, she lived in Johannesburg until 2007 when she died.The exhibition features other revered women including, Ellen Khuzwayo, Frances Baard, Ray Alexander, Albertina Sisulu, and Helen Joseph.

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Malibongiwe: South African photo exhibition opens in Kigali