You Have Struck a Rock!

You Have Struck a Rock!

28 mins | Documentary | Jan. 1, 1981

You Have Struck A Rock! commemorates the special contribution of South African women to the success of the anti-apartheid struggle. It recovers the remarkable "women's campaigns" of the 1950s against the hated pass system. This massive, non-violent civil disobedience movement was only finally crushed by the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre and the banning of anti-apartheid organizations. Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Dora Tamana and other leaders recall this struggle and their imprisonment and banning. Yet they remain undaunted, demonstrating the South African proverb: "When you have touched a woman, you have struck a rock."

You Have Struck a Rock!

28 mins | Documentary | Jan. 1, 1981

You Have Struck a Rock!
You Have Struck A Rock! commemorates the special contribution of South African women to the success of the anti-apartheid struggle. It recovers the remarkable "women's campaigns" of the 1950s against the hated pass system. This massive, non-violent civil disobedience movement was only finally crushed by the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre and the banning of anti-apartheid organizations. Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Dora Tamana and other leaders recall this struggle and their imprisonment and banning. Yet they remain undaunted, demonstrating the South African proverb: "When you have touched a woman, you have struck a rock."
Producers
Original title You Have Struck a Rock!
Directors Deborah May
Writers Diana Boernstein, Deborah May

Cast

Lilian Ngoyi

as Herself

Dora Tamana

as Herself

Helen Joseph

as Herself

Amina Cachalia

as Herself

Frances Baard

as Herself

Letta Mbulu

as Narrator