Sister Mary Bernard Ncube (née Neikie Zellie Ncube; 9 March 1935 – August 31, 2012) was a South African religious sister and anti-apartheid activist. As a religious sister, she often faced criticism from the church over her politics, including her stance on abortion.[1] Because of her anti-apartheid activities, she was often arrested and is probably the first sister to be arrested in South Africa.[2]
Sister Bernard Ncube | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interest | |
| In office 1999–2002 | |
| Deputy | Lawrence Mushwana |
| Preceded by | Committee established |
| Succeeded by | Luwellyn Landers |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office 1994–2002 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Neikie Zellie Ncube 9 March 1935 East Rand, Transvaal Union of South Africa |
| Died | 31 August 2012 (aged 77) |
| Political party | African National Congress |
Early life and education
Ncube was born on 9 March 1935[3] on the East Rand of the former Transvaal.[4] She earned a degree in theology from the Roma College in Lesotho and entered the Companions Catholic Order in 1955.[5] She worked as a teacher until 1960.[5]
Apartheid-era activism
Ncube lived at the St. Mary's Convent in Kagiso where she was known around the community as Mma Rona (Our Mother).[6] Ncube helped establish the Federation of Transvaal Women (FEDTRAW).[7] Previously, she had been very active with youth groups in Kagiso.[8] In 1984, she became the president of FEDTRAW.[6]
In 1983, she was arrested and sentenced to four months[9] in prison for possessing "banned literature."[8] The item in her possession was a pamphlet published by the African National Congress (ANC), which had been outlawed in South Africa.[10]
In 1986, Ncube was arrested for attending a United Democratic Front (UDF) gathering, and was later let out on a $200 bail on the charge of attending an illegal gathering.[11] Not long after, police with dogs raided her convent and took over 70 documents, many relating to the UDF.[12] In March 1986, a gasoline bomb was tossed into her convent room, fortunately not harming anyone.[13] Later that year, in June, she was detained again and held in solitary confinement for over a year under Section 29 of the Internal Security Act.[6] During much of that time, she did not have access to necessary medical supplies or the type of special diet she needed.[6] Eventually she was released on bail.[6] Ncube was banned from Kagiso in 1987.[8] On March 17, 1988, the government dropped the charges against her.[2]
In 1989, she was part of a UDF delegation to meet with President George Bush.[5] Ncube went a "nation-wide speaking tour" of the United States and sponsored by Global Exchange in 1990.[14] In 1991, she joined the National Executive Committee of the ANC.[5]
Post-apartheid career
Ncube was elected into Parliament in 1994 and chaired the portfolio committee on arts and culture.[15] She left Parliament in 2002, when she became the mayor of the West Rand Municipality.[1] She died on 31 August 2012.[16]
See also
References
Citations
Sources
- Van Kessel, Ineke (2000). 'Beyond Our Wildest Dreams': The United Democratic Front and the Transformation of South Africa. University Press of Virginia. ISBN 0813918685.
External links
- Transcript of Ncube's 1983 trial (starts on p. 17)