Representation & Reality: 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 perspective on the recent history of South African women. Highlighting the experiences of individuals, this collection confronts the anonymity that shrouds so many women activists and provides a clear perspective on the motivations of women who chose political activism in the 1950s and 1960s. The women's narratives provide nuanced insights into the ways that 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.