Connie Mofokeng
Connie Mofokeng (born 1959) is a Black South African woman who was an anti-apartheid activist. Mofokeng was a member of the Soweto Student Representative Council (SSRC) at the time of the Soweto uprising, and she was arrested along with over a hundred detainees.[1] Mofokeng was a founding member and secretary of the Vaal Organisation of Women. In 1984, Mofokeng again marched against apartheid, and was again arrested and imprisoned. Later, Mofokeng escaped and lived in exile.[2][3]
Education
After her three month imprisonment for the Soweto uprising, Mofokeng was expelled from her school. She arranged so that she could still take classes.[1]
Torture
Mofokeng was tortured while imprisoned in an attempt to get information about the Soweto uprising. She was physically punched and kicked, and the soldiers used electrical torture against her. Her 1984 arrest resulted in her again getting tortured and underfed–this time until she fell unconscious. Mofokeng escaped while en route to the hospital and fled into exile. Once she was able to see a physician, the doctor determined that she had been given poison that was eating her intestines. She underwent surgery, and the damages were repaired.[4] She never gave up any information. Mofokeng lost hearing in her right ear from the beatings.[5]
Early life
Mofokeng was born in Johannesburg.[4]
References
- ^ a b sahoboss (2011-02-17). "Connie Mofokeng". South African History Online. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
- ^ sahoboss (2011-03-21). "A List of women involved in the women's struggle in South Africa, 1900-1994". South African History Online. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
- ^ Hassim, Shireen (2006-06-26). Women's Organizations and Democracy in South Africa: Contesting Authority. Univ of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 9780299213831.
- ^ a b Russell, Diana E. H. (September 2003). Lives of Courage: Women for a New South Africa. iUniverse. ISBN 9780595291397.
- ^ "Connie Mofokeng, interview by Diana Russell, South Africa, 1987 | Alexander Street, a ProQuest Company". search.alexanderstreet.com. Retrieved 2018-08-06.