November 16th, 2009
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Interview with Ms. Nondwe Similela
General Topic of Interview:
Date: August 21, 2008
Location: Ms. Similela’s residence, King William’s Town, South Africa
Narrator: Ms. Nondwe Similela
Interviewer: Corinthia Jacobs
Transcriber: Corinthia Jacobs
Biographical Information:
Ms. Nondwe Similela grew up in Durban. She worked as a teacher when she was younger and now lives in King William’s Town. She was Corinthia Jacobs‘ host-mother during the research teams stay in Kim William’s Town.
Interview Information:
Ms. Similela discusses the educational and general privileges afforded to whites during Apartheid. She details the requirement for women who become pregnant out of wedlock to resign or be fired from their teaching positions. In talking about the 1994 government change, she describes Nelson Mandela as a national father figure. She notes the vital roles of women in the anti-apartheid movement and the ruptures caused to them and their families when their husbands were forced to become migrant workers. Ms. Similela expresses her anger at the death of Steve Biko, and describes what would take place at the Black Consciousness Movement gatherings at the Zanempilo Health Clinic.