ELLEN KUZWAYO

I myself attended the first NCWA [National Council of African Women] conference [which took place in Bloemfontein on December 17, 1937]. The greatest moment for me was when, at that conference, I met the legendary Mrs Charlotte Manye Maxeke. When I first encountered her, her bearing, her upright head and clear eyes, proclaimed her as a woman of character and principles. She appeared firm and composed; a woman of values and standards. She gave me the impression of being conscientious and very business-like in her dealings but, above all, a woman very clear about the purpose and direction of her church and her community involvement. I did not find her easy to approach---unlike Minah Soga. i longed to get hear her and talk to her; but except for hearing her address the conference, I never had an opportunity to speak to her. Now that I look back, perhaps the disparity in our ages was a barrier to my reaching her.

-Ellen Kuzwayo, Call Me Woman (1985).