Representation & Reality

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Portraits of women's lives in the Western Cape 1948 - 1976 Drawing on the personal narratives of women from across the political spectrum in the Western Cape, this book presents an unusual and regional perspective on the political history of South African women. Within the context of the broad social and political processes affecting women at the time, the study examines some of the local social and political forces that informed women's lives in the Western Cape. The women's narratives provide nuanced insights into how issues of identity, race, class and culture intersected with politics in their lives and demonstrate the sometimes painful intersections of the public and personal realms. This well-researched account of the struggles of diverse women is an engaging contribution to academic literature in the area.

1 Introduction

2 Trying to stop the sea: Gender, influx control and the Coloured Labour Preference Policy

3 Women and politics in the Western Cape: Ideology and survival

4 Upholding peoples rights and liberties

5 Strategies for Survival

6 Portraits of Ray Alexander and Eulalie Stott

7 Portraits of Dora Tamana and Mildred Ramakaba Lesiea

8 Portraits of Elizabeth van der Heyden and Elizabeth Abrahams

9 Women and politics in the Western Cape: Representation and reality

Appendix: Brief biographies of Western Cape women

Select bibliography

Index