The Wauchopes: Generational Activism
Product Description
A pictorial biography by Natalia Sifuba.
Unbeknown to the family Patriarch Rev Isaac Williams Dyobha Wauchope, legendary of the 1917 SS Mendi troopship, that when challenging and engaging the early 20th century Cape colonialists, his heroic actions would pave the path of political activism for many Wauchope generations.
Joyce, was a political activist, the struggle heroine and one of the towering BCM figures during the 1970’s against the system of apartheid. A nurse by profession, thrusts herself in civic struggles, and as an active community member, rallied brave women to close ranks in support and in defence of the June 16 students following the outbreak of nationwide uprisings. But she was not alone, the members of her entire family were political activists.
Together with her elder sister Ethel, also an activist, became “military training recruiters” and ran an underground railroad for younger students activists bent on leaving the country for military training. They are betrayed by one of the students they helped to skip the country who was turned a state witness after disserting from exile. Both were detained, subjected to solitary confinement that culminating in both being charged under Section 6 of the Terrorism Act in 1978.
This book has been assembled with a wonderful collection of materials, photographs, documents and newspaper cuttings arranged to illustrate Joyce’s life and her family. To be able to see the people and places involved in the events, brings Joyce to life in a way that the written word alone struggles to accomplish. This book will prove to be a fascinating read.
