Strikes Have Followed Me All My Life: A South African Autobiography

by Emma Mashinini, Nomalizo Leah Tutu (Foreword)

Emma Mashinini was Secretary of one of South Africa's biggest trade unions when she was arrested without charge and detained for six months, often in solitary confinement. This powerful and compelling autobiography of Mashinini relates the moving story of her life under apartheid from her childhood in Sophiatown, her first marriage and divorce, motherhood, and her work in a textile factory that eventually lead her to the trade union.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Mashinini's story is one of courage, of defiance and of heartbreak. By the end of the book I was crying. This is the second time I've read this book and despite the fact its for my studies, it gets to me every time.

Emma Mashinini tells the tale of her upbringing where her parents went through a split whilst she was in her teen years. She spoke about her early marriage and her time as a housewife that did not work on. Then she spoke about being a single, working mother and the hardships she faced. She also spoke about her achievements as she rose through the ranks in the work place to become a shop steward, to represent her fellow workers. She eventually went on to set up her own union CCAWUSA (Commerical, Catering, and Allied Workers Union of South Africa) and the struggles she faced there. She spoke with great love towards her family and her second husband, Tom Mashinini. Then she also touched on her traumatic detention period and dealing with the aftereffects of this imprisonment on her mental and physical health.

The autobiography is short, but it gives a real flavour for Emma's life and the struggles that she and many other black people faced in apartheid South Africa. It makes my heart hurt to think about it, but I think more people need to be aware of these kinds of books, to read this kind of books and understand the struggles other people went through.

[Fezeka Motsogi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book woke something in me... I am still trying to figure out, like the author as to why Mama Emma Mashinini was imprisoned. The psychological trauma that she went through while in prison... when I read the book, I became part of what the old South Africa was like.
One of the episodes that broke my heart was when the author could not remember the name of one of her daughters...
This is not my kind of book, I usually prefer lighter issues but would read it again. How such a tiny woman could get involved in Trade Unions and actually bring change in the industry.
This book opened my eyes and allowed me to be part of a very colourful, funny (at times), emotional journey. I ask myself how come the author did not hate the oppressor... but I realise that forgiveness is what really set her free

[Recato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was sceptical about a 166 page biography, but was pleasantly surprised. A good read with wit, sarcasm, tearjerkers, and inspiration in the mix.

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela
Thina lusapho lwayo.


Siyabonga Ma Emma!

[Babalwa]

Emma Mashinini writes so simply but so beautifully.
I was absolutely entranced reading her story.
I love it when black women write us into existence, her story is my Grandmother's story.