Ida Mntwana

Ida Fiyo Mntwana (1903-1960) was a South African anti-apartheid activist.

Mntwana worked as a dressmaker and became active in politics in the 1950s. After Madie-Hall Xuma resigned from the African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) in 1949, Mntwana was her replacement. Mntwana was more radical than her predecessor, organizing women in demonstrations, strikes and other acts of civil disobedience.

In 1954, Mntwana became the president of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW). She helped organize the Congress of the People. She was a leader of the 1955 FEDSAW march to the Union Buildings. Around 2,000 women participated in that march to protest pass laws for women.

Mntwana was one of the defendants in the 1956 Treason Trial. Mntwana died in 1960.

Mntwana is represented in one of 55 statues that is part of the National Heritage Monument at Groenkloof Nature Reserve. She earned a posthumous Order for Meritorious Service in 2003.

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