THE South African Communist Party (SACP) is mourning the death of Getrude Shope, who passed away at 99 on Thursday, 22 May.
In her honour, the SACP's red flag is flying at half-mast, acknowledging her immense contributions to the fight against apartheid and colonialism.
Born on August 15, 1925, in Joburg and raised in Zimbabwe, MaShope, as she was widely known, was both a teacher and a passionate activist.
SACP spokesman Mbulelo Mandlana said MaShope played a crucial role in the liberation movement, serving as an operative of Umkhonto weSizwe, the joint national liberation army of the SACP and the African National Congress (ANC).
"A defining moment in her career was her decisive protest against the discriminatory Bantu Education system, which led her to abandon her teaching profession.
"Her activism included active participation in the historic 1956 Women's March to Pretoria, a pivotal event that significantly advanced South Africa's liberation and women's emancipation struggles. From 1958 to 1966, she led the Central Western Jabavu branch of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW), an organization dedicated to uniting women of all races against oppression," said Mandlana.
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In 1966, the apartheid regime forced Ma-Shope into exile. "She continued her tireless work, serving in the ANC's Women's Section office in Tanzania and later becoming the ANC's Chief Representative in Zambia, a groundbreaking role for a woman within the movement. In 1981, she was appointed head of the ANC Women's League and also joined the ANC National Executive Committee. Following the unbanning of political organizations, she was instrumental in reorganizing the ANC Women's League and became its first president," said Mandlana.
For her profound dedication and sacrifice, MaShope received numerous accolades, including the "Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe" in 2014, which is the ANC's highest honour.
In their tribute, the SACP urged progressive forces and the working class to unite and carry forward the legacy of MaShope and other struggle stalwarts, striving for complete liberation and the defeat of patriarchy.
