18 Facts About Amina Cachalia

Amina Cachalia OLB was a South African anti-Apartheid activist, women's rights activist, and politician.

Amina Cachalia was a longtime friend and ally of former President Nelson Mandela.

Amina Cachalia's parents were political activists Ebrahim Ismail Asvat and Fatima Asvat.

At first, Cachalia did not realize her racially prejudiced environment in South Africa.

Amina Cachalia returned to Fordsburg and decided not to continue her formal education.

Amina Cachalia began to learn shorthand and typing to get a job and became politically active.

Amina Cachalia began campaigning against Apartheid and racial discrimination as a teenager.

Amina Cachalia became a women's rights activist, often focusing on economic issues, such as financial independence for women.

Amina Cachalia was a volunteer for the Peace Council and a founding member of Women's Progressive Union which was affiliated to the Institute of Race Relations in 1948.

On 26 August 1952, Amina Cachalia participated in the Germiston march, led by Ida Mtwana.

Amina Cachalia was the treasurer of the Federation of South African Women and a leading supporter of the Federation of Transvaal Women.

At that time, Amina Cachalia was pregnant with a son, Ghaleb.

Amina Cachalia was elected to the National Assembly of South Africa in the 1994 South African general election, the country's first with universal suffrage.

Amina Cachalia died at Milpark Hospital in Parktown West, Johannesburg, on 31 January 2013, aged 82.

Amina Cachalia's funeral was held in her home in Parkview, Johannesburg, according to traditional Muslim customs.

Amina Cachalia met her future husband, Yusuf Cachalia, secretary of TIC through her political activity.

Amina Cachalia turned down Mandela's proposal because she said, "I'm my own person and that I had just recently lost my husband whom I had enormous regard for".

Amina Cachalia was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, given to members of the Indian diaspora, by the Government of India.