Book Review: Women in Solitary: Inside South Africa's Female Resistance to Apartheid by Shanthini Naidoo

Abstract

Although the anti-apartheid struggle witnessed the involvement of women revolutionaries and members from several other ethnic groups, its grand narrative highlights the idea that it was basically a conflict between the white male oppressors and black male revolutionaries. As this overarching male-centric binary remained at the centre of apartheid historiography, women’s contribution and their immense sacrifice have remained largely undermined. This treatment of subservience results in a flawed and inadequate representation, and, therefore, requires critical intervention. It is within this context thatWomen in Solitary by Shanthini Naidoo offers a compelling narrative of the struggle and resistance shown by the women revolutionaries and “weaves their experiences into the historical development of the anti-apartheid movement” (iii). Combining her years of journalistic experiences and academic research, the author develops this investigative anthology and brings to light an alternate history with all its subtleties and nuances. The “women” in the title refers to apartheid activists Joyce Sikhakhane, Shanthie Naidoo, Rita Ndzanga and Nondwe Mankahla. The life and times of Winnie Mandela is also recorded based on her shared lived experiences with them. In fact, Winnie has an abiding influence in the inception of this anthology. The prologue sets the backdrop as the author, along with photographer Alan Skuy, went to explore Winnie’s time in the Pretoria Central Prison as part of a media coverage shortly after Winnie’s death. She came upon the virtually obscure record of Trial of 1969 that involved 22 revolutionaries, detained due to their alleged activities under the Suppression of Communism Act. The prologue is followed by 12 chapters and a conclusion. These chapters capture in detail the testimonies of the women revolutionaries and inform of a past, filled with unimaginable horrors of incarceration and bloodshed. Instead of providing mere facts and figures regarding the trial, the author digs deeper into the journeys of these women as they relate their experiences of negotiating the terrible consequences of solitary confinement. In the first chapter, the author claims that even after the abolition of apartheid, its lingering effects have led to other forms of discrimination. The failure of South African state-administration, judiciary and media in acknowledging the contribution of the women activists has resulted in severe epistemological injustice. Disregarding this part