25 Facts About Charlotte Maxeke

Charlotte Makgomo Maxeke was a South African religious leader, social and political activist.

Charlotte Maxeke was the daughter of John Kgope Mannya, the son of headman Modidima Mannya of the Batlokwa people, under Chief Mamafa Ramokgopa and Anna Manci, a Xhosa woman from Fort Beaufort.

At the age of eight, Charlotte Maxeke Mannya began her primary school classes at a missionary school taught by the Reverend Isaac Wauchope in Uitenhage.

Charlotte Maxeke excelled in Dutch and English, mathematics and music.

Charlotte Maxeke spent long hours tutoring her less skilled classmates, often with great success.

From Uitenhage, Charlotte Maxeke moved to Port Elizabeth to study at the Edward Memorial School under Headmaster Paul Xiniwe.

Charlotte Maxeke excelled and completed her secondary school education in record time, achieving the highest possible grades.

In 1885, after the discovery of diamonds, Charlotte Maxeke moved to Kimberley, Northern Cape, with her family.

Charlotte Maxeke's rousing success after her first solo performance in Kimberley Town Hall immediately resulted in her appointment to the Europe-bound choir operation, which was taken over from Bam by a European.

Charlotte Maxeke became politically active while in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she played a part in bringing to South Africa.

Shortly after her return to South Africa in 1902, Charlotte Maxeke began her involvement in anti-colonial politics.

Charlotte Maxeke was notably the first South African Social worker, appointed as Welfare Officer to the Johannesburg Magisterial Court and involved in juvenile work.

Charlotte Maxeke attended the formal launch of the South African Native National Congress in Bloemfontein in 1912.

Charlotte Maxeke became active in movements against pass laws through her political activities.

Many of Charlotte Maxeke's concerns were related to social issues as well as ones that concerned the Church.

In 1918, Charlotte Maxeke founded the Bantu Women's League, which later became part of the African National Congress Women's League.

The BWL under Charlotte Maxeke was a grassroots movement that served as a vehicle for taking up grievances from a largely poor and rural base.

Charlotte Maxeke's BWL demanded better working conditions for women farm workers.

Furthermore, Charlotte Maxeke led a delegation to see Louis Botha, who was then South African Prime Minister, to discuss the issue of passes for women.

Charlotte Maxeke was elected as the president of the Women's missionary society.

Charlotte Maxeke continued to be involved in many multiracial groups fighting against the Apartheid system and for women's rights.

Charlotte Maxeke remained somewhat active in South African politics until her death, serving as a leader of the ANC in the 1930s.

Charlotte Maxeke was instrumental in the foundation of the National Council of African Women, which served as a way of protecting the welfare of Africans inside South Africa.

Charlotte Maxeke died on 16 October 1939 in Johannesburg, at the age of 68.

Charlotte Maxeke is often honoured as the "Mother of Black Freedom in South Africa".