They Fought for Freedom: Dora Tamana: Grade 10 - 12

In the 1940s, Dora Tamana ran a day-care centre for children in a shack in Cape Town. She had no money for pencils and paper, but by writing words in the sand with a stick, she taught the children to read and write. This was only a small part of Dora's work. To improve the living conditions of her people, she organised demonstrations, planned campaigns against racism and distributed political newspapers. She was also a leading member of the SACP, ANC and a founder member of the Federation of South African Women. Dora was banned and jailed for her political work, but her beliefs have taken hold in South Africa's new democracy. Dora Tamana died in 1983. They Fought for Freedom tells the life stories of southern African leaders who struggled for freedom and justice. In spite of the important roles they played in the history of southern Africa, most of these leaders have been largely ignored by the history books. The series tells their stories in an entertaining manner, in clear language and aims to restore them to their rightful place in history.