Book Review: No Time to Mourn by Jeanette Ndhlovu

Abstract:     
Since the country of South Africa became a legitimate democracy in 1994, with the participation of black South Africans in the voting process, many books have been written about the decades long resistance struggle against the apartheid governing system in the country. For the most part however the male leaders of the black resistance such as Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela, have received most of the academic notice and publishing attention. Winnie Mandela, former wife of Nelson Mandela has occasionally received recognition by virtue of her political activism in the country as South Africa’s first lady. There were however many women in the resistance movement who served and risked their lives along with the men in battling the oppression of the apartheid government. The Honorable Jeanette Ndhlovu was one of these unsung heroes of the people’s war against apartheid and was a consequential strategist in the actualization of American support to pressure the white South African government to abandon the apartheid system. As a result of her efforts, she has been awarded several powerful positions as a representative for the new government of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations. Most recently she was designated the prestigious position of Consul General of the South African Embassy in Los Angeles, California. This appointment marks the latest accomplishment for an extraordinary African woman from humble beginnings who through her own strength of character and will to survive prevailed over seemingly insurmountable obstacles and personal tragedy to become a respected leader in the governing party of the ANC of South Africa and has become an inspiration to women of the African Diaspora around the world.

Keywords: South Africa, women freedom fighters, women Consul Generals, ANC of South Africa

Accepted Paper Series