ABNER R. MAPANYA

We have always upheld Native custom where it is ethical and in-line with the development of the race, but where it operates as an obstacle to the people's progress we hold that it must go. There was a time many years ago when European women were in much the same case as the Native women are now, but it was the glory of the Romans and the glory of all the Christian nations that they exalted their women-kind. The development has continued until today the women have the parliamentary franchise in most civilised countries. A nation cannot rise above the level of its women, and we are in agreement with Dr. Aggrey who emphasised the need of educate for Native girls and urged Native men to broaden their view of women and encourage them to become more worthy wives. . . . The liberation of Native women would cause no violent upheaval in Native life. The force of custom is strong, and Native women would insist on freedom of action only when driven to so by the definite injustice of their male relatives; and their ability to assert themselves and to resistinjustice would tend to strengthen the morals of Native men, would rapidly improve the conjugal relationship and would be a most valuable factor of civilisation. Anative prospers in proportion to the mental and moral development of its women, and we believe that Bantu progress will be more marked when Bantu women are given their natural place in Bantu life.

-Abner R. Mapanya, "Editorial: The Liberation of Native Women", Umteteli wa Bantu, March 28, 1925.