African National Congress Women's League - Eastern Cape

18/03/2026

The Colloquium

27/07/2024

22/12/2021

For Immediate Release

21 December 2021


ANCWL MOURNS THE PASSING OF MAMA LILLIAN ‘LILY’ DEIDRICKS

It is with great sadness that the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) received the news of the passing of Mama Lillian ‘Lily’ Deidricks. Mama Lily passed on earlier today at her home in Gqeberha. She was one of the pioneering leaders who relentlessly fought against the apartheid regime and the struggles of women along Mama Francis Baart, Ray Alexander, Mama Albertina Sisulu and Lilian Ngoyi – amongst others.

Mama Lily was one of the leaders of the non-racial women’s movement in the 1950’s, the Federation of South African Women which established the Women’s Charter of 1954 and organised the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings. She also became one of the organisers for the march as deployed by her province and formed part of the leaders of the march. She represents a calibre of dynamic women who crafted a multi-dimensional approach in waging war against the apartheid system and its segregational laws. They confronted challenges of women whilst fighting the pass system to protect their families and waged war against bantu education as mothers who sought quality education for their children.

Throughout her life Mama Lily was a servant of the people, a highly skilled administrator and a sharp operator who could skilfully disguise herself to go carryout the work of the African National Congress across the country. She cut her political teeth in trade unions, working as an administrator for the Food and Canning Workers Union were she played a pivotal role in fighting for the rights of women workers. She rose in the ranks of the union and subsequently swelled the ranks of the ANC and ANCWL – working along renowned leaders as Raymond Mhlaba and Govern Mbeki.

As the ANCWL we will remember Mama Lily for her bravery and contribution towards the emancipation of women. Through her activism, she was one of the most sought ANC activists by apartheid police, was eventually arrested for treason in 1956 and acquitted in 1961. After her release, she remained active in the ANC, she invested her energies in tackling societal ills – more specifically taking care of children and families of arrested ANC cadres. She remained defiant to the apartheid regime and through her multilingualism – speaking Afrikaans, Xhosa and English – she could coordinate, organise and mobilize for the congress movement. We are indeed indebted to women as Mama Lily who fought for women’s emancipation and for freedom of marginalised South Africans even though it could cost them their lives or freedom. She was out spoken, truthful, honest and trustworthy.

As the ANCWL we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mama Lily’s family and loved ones. We wish to assure them that we are with them in these trying times. We call upon our members to support her family and continue to celebrate the life well lived. May her life also inspire generations to come. Long Live the Spirit of Lillian Deidricks Long Live!!!

Issued by
Meokgo Matuba
ANCWL Secretary General

12/10/2021

18/11/2020

Save the date 23 Nov

28/09/2020

17/09/2020

ANCWL YWD EC launches its first Digital journal, Reader’s Riot.

The ANCWL in the Eastern Cape would like to announce the launch of its first digital Publication called Reader’s RIOT. The publication is a monumental step in creating safe a space for women and marginalized sexualities to express their lived realities without fear or favour. Readers riot will be a monthly publication that will be available on Facebook,Instagram and link form for download and reading purposes .

The establishment of the Reader’s RIOT publication is to stimulate reading and writing amongst all members of the ANCWL and YWD and ultimately create a culture based on engagement, discussion and policy formulation. The publication is also a platform for women to express themselves through the usage of poetry, photography and art works. The ANCWL encourages all young women across the length and breadth of the Eastern Cape to actively participate and contribute to the growth of this publication and the developing a culture of expression.

No longer shall the voices of women exist muffled between the pages male dominated publications; no longer shall women be instructed to write on topics apart from the gender struggle and GBV. Reader’s RIOT is here to unify and amplify the voices of women in this province, to ensure that women are seen, heard and understood, to give context to daily lived realities of women in the Eastern Cape.

The ANCWL invites all women interested in submitting their work to contact the editorial team of Reader’s RIOT through the following channel:
Email : [email protected]
WhatsApp : 0729224914

Editor in chief
Nobathembu Koko


Malibongwe

10/09/2020

ANCWL PTT Eastern Cape joins women of South Africa who are today wishing happy birthday to the President of the ANCWL Cde Bathabile Dlamini. May the Lord the Almighy bless you with many more years Mbokodo 🖤💚💛✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

19/08/2020

STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF PTT OF ANCWL IN EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

The Provincial Task Team (PTT) of the African National Congress Women’s League Women’s League (ANCWL) in the Eastern Cape held its meeting on the 16th of August 2020. The meeting deliberated on various issues affecting women,children and LGTBQI + communities in the Province.

On Gender Based Violence

There is alarming rate of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the Province. Unfortunately the Justice system seems to be very lenient to the perpetrators and merciless of the victims and their families. The accused are easily granted bails and roam around the streets whilst the victims and their families live in fear. The Province working through National Office will continue campaigning for no bail for all who are accused of GBV related offences and femicides. The PTT sends it deepest condolences to all who were killed by men and put in thoughts and prayers to survivors of rapes and all forms of GBV. Recently a man killed 3 women and seriously injured one woman in Sterkspruit. The law must swiftly take its course on the matter.

On fraud and corruption

The PTT denounced all forms of fraud and corruption including those related to Covid-19 procurement. The law enforcement agencies should move with speed to investigate and prosecute those who loot the resources meant to fight the spread of COVID-19.

On Former President Gertrude Shope

The PTT wishes the former President of the ANCWL Gertrude Hope happy 95th birthday. In celebrating her birthday, the PTT will be handing gifts to Tsolo Special School in OR Tambo on the 19th of August 2020.

On 64th Anniversary of the women’s march

2020, marks the 64th anniversary of the women’s march to Union Building. Since the march there has been some improvements into gender equality in other fronts however the high level of gender-based violence and femicides are worrisome. There is also still economic marginalisation of women in the country. As part of celebrating 64th Anniversary of the women’s march, PTT will be having drive through visit to Mama Lillian Diedericks one of the leaders of the 1956 March.
The issue of 50/ 50 needs to be addressed again in municipalities and Government departments as we celebrate 64th anniversary of Women’s March.

In conclusion

The PTT calls on all its members, supporters and society at large to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations. The virus is deathly. It is only through working together and by adhering to regulations that we can stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Province.

END

ISSUED BY:
Khosi Nongqayi
PTT Spokesperson

Nolitha Ntobongwana
PTT Coordinator