GENDER

y name is Refiloe Florence The role of Women in MK Sedibe. I am a retired Major MGeneral of the South African National Defence Force and have spent a combined total of 40 years © Mayibuye Archives From Leadership in the in military service as a soldier in the liberation struggle and later, as a senior Trenches to Leadership official in the SANDF. I’m blessed to have also been wife to my loving husband Joe Modise, whom I miss in Government and dearly, and mother to our two lovely daughters Boipuso and Lesedi. The perspective that I have gained from Society each of these experiences; soldier, major-general, wife and mother, today forms within me a deep appreciation for the many challenges, which at times may have appeared insurmountable, that were faced by so many brave and determined women in the fight for ’s liberation. This article represents my attempt to cast some light on the lesser told stories of female cadres in the military wing of the ANC - . It is an effort to identify the difficult and lengthy path that women in the MK had to walk to finally gain acceptance into and legitimacy within its male-dominated ranks. Gender equality on the battle field is hard won - and perhaps unsurprisingly, the same was true within the MK. For those of us who had to sacrifice, struggle and endure under very difficult circumstances to earn fair recognition for our contribution to the liberation struggle, notions of equality thus take on special relevance. I hope to present the context in which women in the MK, from all walks of life, of differing talents, experiences and ages found the courage to prove that they were no different from any other cadre and had the strength to survive the South Africa still battles with a reality of sexism inhospitable climate of war. I will also discuss my experiences as a female MK and a culture of patriarchy in the workplace veteran in the post- South African Defence Force (SANDF) and in that needs to be addressed. We must consider South African society upon returning from exile. all avenues towards changing the mindsets of I left my childhood home in Mpumalanga, South Africa, as a young our people so as to ensure that our children girl in 1964 to join the MK shortly after eventually work in environments that are not the . Leaders of the ANC had begun to recruit young men and stifled by narrow stereotypes. women for military training abroad at the time and my father - who held a position in the ANC - spoke to me By Jackie Sedibe about the prospect of my enlisting

28 THE THINKER GENDER in the MK. I immediately indicated tasks’ were an area where women were of excitement but it was however my wishes to join and was recruited seen to excel: we had women involved tempered by the painful sacrifices that by a family friend. After a dangerous in MK activities in the early stages of had been demanded by the struggle. crossing on foot from Zeerust to Lobatsi its formation, particularly in regional Nevertheless, our people were in Botswana, I formed part of a small commands. Women would volunteer generally happy when we returned; we contingent of youths who were headed to carry suitcases packed with weapons were greeted by friends and family who to Tanzania for MK orientation. When into the forward areas – those territories felt that at last, their fathers, mothers, I left South Africa, my understanding of closest to South Africa, facing danger children, brothers and sisters who had politics was limited to the matters that and the risk of long term detention been away for so many years were I had overheard in discussion among almost on a daily basis. We lost some of now back and ready to dismantle the members of my family, many of whom our women to the horrors of Vlaakplaas remaining structures of the evil system were actively involved in the ANC, and and also in battle, while defending of apartheid. They believed that with to the concerns that neighbours would our bases in Angola against UNITA trained cadres of the movement living raise as they recounted experiences militia. Women completed covert amongst them, there would no longer gained under the oppression of missions from ‘underground’ houses be harassment and intimidation by the apartheid either at work, on a plaas, in Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa security forces of apartheid structures. or in the cities. My decision to join and successfully operated under the But real change would prove slow and was thus partly made in anger at nose of the notorious Special Branch deliberate. the brutality and hatefulness of the without detection. Women also played The integration process of seven apartheid system but also, out of what a fundamental role in demonstrating different armed forces into one South was then a vague but sincere longing that the liberation of South Africa African National Defence Force after for a democratic South Africa. was a cause that was championed by 1994 was one of the most difficult I was educated by the MK while I integration processes to be completed was in exile; I received training in radio In terms of skill, by any national defence force. I strongly communication in conventional war at believe that successful integration was a military academy in Odessa, in the most of the women in achieved because so many of us from , and thereafter learned our camp were highly the non-statutory forces (ANC MK) clandestine communication which were determined to be integrated included cryptography, frequency capable snipers; into the statutory system in order to modulation and Morse code in I and others were effect necessary changes from within Moscow. I also gained formative field the system. The process demanded experience in Tanzania. There were able to assemble sincere compromise, discounting very few women in the MK at the and disassemble years of service, field experience and time of my joining and at the camp the level of training of former MK in Kongwa, Tanzania, we numbered pistols and AK47s cadres. This meant that most had to eight women amongst approximately blindfolded. We be re-trained in conventional warfare, 500 men. In fact, in those days there also deepened our regardless of age or rank, which was very little knowledge of women, proved problematic because tutors in in any country of the world, taking up knowledge and the SANDF were often very junior in arms alongside men. We women of the understanding of terms of rank and experience relative MK trained and studied with our male to their pupils. This in turn promoted a counterparts and had to complete all of politics through culture of confrontation and animosity the same physical exercises. We were regular debate. between the old guard and former not granted, nor did we request, any non-statutory force personnel. I can gender based leniency and I believe that assert from personal experience that MK women in the camps gained resolve individuals of many nations and indeed, gender equality within the SANDF was, and a greater sense of purpose in being many races; we had operatives who and will continue to be, an important the exception. I learned that women in were mainly white women sympathisers area requiring careful attention. I was the MK could earn respect by show of who drove cars, fully packed with a Major General in the MK, where I sat skill and bravery. In terms of skill, most weapons, into South Africa and similar on the highest decision making body of of the women in our camp were highly international operatives who joined the the wing – the revolutionary council. capable snipers; I and others were able struggle and agreed to smuggle weapons Upon induction into the SANDF to assemble and disassemble pistols and at various border posts when supplies however, I had to accept the junior AK47s blindfolded. We also deepened were needed. rank of a Brigadier. The justification our knowledge and understanding I returned from exile in 1993 with a that I was given for the modesty of of politics through regular debate. husband in the senior ranks of the ANC my new rank was that there were no This placed us on par with our male and two young children, to a country female generals in the former SADF contemporaries in the camps. In terms at the dawn of a rebirth. Change was and that I would find it difficult to cope of bravery however, ‘very dangerous imminent and there was a strong mood as the solitary woman among men at

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senior levels of the SANDF. Some felt develop protocols on how to interact for complacency. It simply means that that I should be grateful for the rank in the work environment. This forum women in the SANDF have still farther of Brigadier since my being an African helped me to understand the fears and to travel along the road to gender female in the role set a new precedent concerns of both men and women and equality; and to these women I say: ‘A in itself. I had to come to terms with a some of the causes of discrimination Luta Continua!’ role that required me to salute higher against women in the workplace. South Africa still battles with a reality ranking male colleagues who, as MK These interactions were instrumental of sexism and a culture of patriarchy cadres, had been my juniors. Many to me in formulating new policy that in the workplace that needs to be MK women, men as well, gave up a lot was sensitive to both genders. In later addressed. We must consider all avenues to be integrated into the new structures years I broadened the focus of our towards changing the mindsets of our of the SANDF. directorate to include special attention people so as to ensure that our children New rules were introduced in to the values of the SANDF while South eventually work in environments that the broader Public Service when African soldiers were deployed outside are not stifled by narrow stereotypes. the Employment Equity Act was the country. I believe that a strong I believe that gender mainstreaming introduced in the SANDF. With it appreciation of the core values of the courses, which inform personnel of the came a wave of personnel re-shuffling SANDF is necessary in those troops necessary role of women in the defence and consequently, considerable anger engaged in peace keeping operations force, will be imperative in promoting amongst senior officers of the former abroad. I would like to believe that I gender equality in the SANDF. These SADF. This was mainly owing to the courses should be included in the fact that finally, all senior officers were defence force training curriculum from subjected to some form of scrutiny. Women would formative to senior levels and regarded Those who could not present a volunteer to carry as among the courses required for the matriculation certificate had to vacate suitcases packed promotion of candidates. The defence their positions or show that they force will become more merit based were studying towards achieving a with weapons into the and equitable once the perception that certificate. We saw a sizeable number forward areas – those the adoption of gender sensitive norms of white officers leave the SANDF by territories closest to amounts to the lowering of standards is opting for the exit packages that were eradicated. introduced at this time. South Africa, facing MK veterans, both women and In 1997, I was appointed as head danger and the risk men, can and should continue to play of the Equal Opportunities Chief of long term detention an important role in our defence force. Directorate and worked tirelessly for The knowledge and understanding that structure to gain recognition in almost on a daily basis. of politics that these individuals the SANDF. We slowly gained respect We lost some of our developed through their experiences from those who embraced change in the non-statutory forces is a and I travelled extensively in South women to the horrors of valuable resource that can be used to Africa and also travelled abroad to talk Vlaakplaas and also in facilitate more measured and informed with troops and senior officials about battle, while defending decision-making in current diplomatic my directorate and its policies. The assignments. I also believe that MK international community in particular, our bases in Angola veterans have a strong role to play in received us well; I remember when against UNITA curbing crime within their communities I visited the United States as a Major militia. by heading community policing fora. General of the SANDF to attend the I salute those men and women who annual general meeting of the Defence swelled the ranks of the MK, some of Advisory Committee on Women in was perceived by my colleagues in the whom sacrificed not only their youth the Services (DACOWITS) that our SANDF as a woman of strong character but their lives for this great nation and directorate’s presentation on the with a sincere interest in building a her people. We cadres of Umkhonto subject of women in the SANDF - their better, more inclusive defence force. we Sizwe, many of us barely out training, deployment and experiences I feel a sense of accomplishment in of childhood, were drawn to the - received a standing ovation. I was the fact that when I left the SANDF in movement in the hope of liberating our subsequently invited to address 2004, there were more than 10 female country in our lifetimes. The impossible different universities on the role generals in various arms of service – a was accomplished and freedom was that women played in the liberation striking contrast to the reality of just won. The onus now lies with current struggle as it was understood that in 10 years prior, when I was integrated and future leadership to safeguard South Africa both men and women into the statutory force. Today, the and indeed reanimate the principles had fought for the liberation of their SANDF is still male dominated. This that governed the conduct and country. is mainly because of the nature of its inspired the selfless sacrifice of so I established a gender forum for men mandate - but this fact should not be many of the cadres and leaders of our and women to exchange ideas and misinterpreted as sufficient grounds movement. 

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