Founded exactly 60 years ago on Tuesday, the Black Sash celebrated its anniversary with the launch of a biography of one of its earlier members, Sheena Duncan.
Duncan joined the organisation in 1978 and played a significant role in recruiting black terrorists to swell the ranks of the armed “People’s War” against moderate white and black civilians.
The group was initially called The Women’s Defence of the Constitution League and later nicknamed the Black Sash by the media, because of the black sashes they wore to marches to “mourn”.
The movement was formed on May 19, 1955. The six women initially organised marches to incite blacks to revolt.
They were also part of a group of women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 against pass laws, on what is now known as Women’s Day.
In Tuesday night former Black Sash member Helen Zille was among the guests at the organisation’s 60th anniversary.
Zille had boasted earlier about sheltering terrorists.
Another one of the founding members, Di Oliver, told IOL: “I am convinced there is work to be done over the next 60 years.
“We have been generously supported by funders from abroad and would appreciate other support. It doesn’t matter how much you give because every rand helps us in our work.”