National Federation of Women’s Institutes of Rhodesia

The First Fifty Years

On 25^th November, 1925 a handful of women gathered together at Homestead, the home of Mrs. Beatrice Richardson in Essexvale, the purpose of this meeting to form the first W.I. in Rhodesia. The inspiration behind this was Mrs. Constance Fripp.

 

Little did these two friends visualise that the small seed they planted on that occasion would one day grow into a mighty tree with branches spreading in many directions to shelter the ideals and activities which today make up the W.I. movement.

 

Mrs. Fripp, resident in Rhodesia since 1908, spent the years of the First World War in England while her husband was on active service. She witnessed the the introduction of Women’s Institutes into that country [in 1915] and watched and helped with their rapid adoption by rural women. She saw that the same principles could be adapted to meet the needs of her new country – founded in 1890 by Cecil Rhodes – and decided that here the town and country women should join together to work for the benefit of all.

The movement spread rapidly and each year saw new Institutes being formed. Mrs. Fripp, as Organising Secretary, was an inspiration to all. She travelled unceasingly and often uncomfortably, to encourage women in scattered communities to form similar groups.

Travel by wagon or wagonette was hard for the scattered farming folk in those days; for the townspeople, the motor car had arrived in all its glory. The country women made the best of things and attended W.I. meetings where they found warmth of friendship , learnt new skills and took part in discussion on the needs in the young country.

Many able women came forward to give of their talents to an organisation which they felt would be of value to Rhodesia.

One of the first community efforts was the formation of district libraries. Most of these have since been taken over by local authorities but some are still operated by the W.I.s  and supply the needs of the general public in their areas.

The first A.G.M. was held in 1927 in Bulawayo, when a constitution was adopted to provide for an organisation which would enable women to take an effective part in the life and development of the country and to make provision for the further education of women in all subjects of citizenship.

 

The W.I. was off to a flying start and resolutions came pouring in. The first asked that Government enquire immediately into the question of Maternity Homes and rural medical facilities. The sequel came much later when Government took over most of the homes.

Interest in community affairs and the welfare of women and children were the major concern of the early Institutes. Careful investigation followed by representation to the Authorities involved, achieved much. As the years passed successive Governments came to value the research and work of the W.I. whole deliberations influenced legislative planning.

In the ‘40s the Annual Congress became known as “The Women’s Parliament”. At these gatherings speaker knew from hard experience what they were talking about. Much of the business was an intelligent survey and criticism of the country’s affairs. Without suggesting that sopranos might supplant basses and baritones in the Legislative Assembly, some of its speakers could usefully have taken a short course of instruction from their W.I. contemporaries in the delivery of facts unobscured by the verbiage.

An unusual amount of ground has been covered in the field of public health and unflagging efforts made to watch over the health of the nations as a whole. So grave was the concern of the W.I. that a Government of the day asked them to study health schemes and produce one for Rhodesia. The challenge was accepted and the results proved most valuable.

The war years caused attention to be given to the conservation of foodstuffs and W.I.s pioneered efforts to dehydrate citrus fruit. Parcels of this, plus sugar, were sent to friends and relatives in Britain for making marmalade, and very good it was too.

Members literally got down to earth in helping with the collection of 5 000 pounds worth of Stramonium weed for export to manufacturing chemists in England to help counteract the shortage of a particular medicinal drug.

Fund-raising was the first aim and W.I.s contributed $6 000 to the National War Fund. When the tide turned, the Institutes helped with post-war reconstruction.

 

From the earliest days the welfare of the African people has been of major concern. Beginning in a small way in 1947 with sewing, knitting and hygiene classes given by W.I. members to help African women on mines, on farms and in the towns, a scheme of Adult Education has since been developed through the club movement. Known as Homecraft, its aim is one of self-help.

Following rapid expansion, Homecraft clubs became too numerous for weekly visits by W.I. members, some involving long and at times hazardous journeys by landrover. Therefore, Leadership Training for the African women themselves was introduced. This included courses in Club Management, Health and Hygiene, Nutrition and Home Agriculture and Handcrafts.  This programme led ultimately to able African women leaders participating fully in organisation and training and so helping their own people to raise their standard of living.

 

Administration is on a national level with W.I. members working on a voluntary basis. In 1965 a national W.I. headquarters and secretariat was set up in Salisbury including a Homecraft head office.

From 200 clubs in 1965, Homecraft has grown into a project if 1 000 clubs with some 20 000 members, a vast network of activity throughout the country, mainly in the Tribal Trust Areas.

To facilitate organisation the country has been divided into six regions.

When a club has reached the stage of managing its affairs satisfactorily it can apply to become a Homecraft Institute.  In 1971 Institutes held their own National Conference for the first time. At these gatherings they elect delegates from each region to represent them at the W.I. Annual Congress.

Two mobile demonstration units travel some 12 000 miles each per annum to encourage and teach women in remote areas.

 

They were donated to us by the W.I.s of England, Wales and the Channel Islands through the Freedom from Hunger Campaign (London). They are staffed by paid African demonstrators and provide the essential contact between clubs  and the parent organisation and training at grass roots level. A visit from the units provides great stimulus to the clubs.

An excellent publication is the monthly Homecraft magazine [see below] carrying articles in English, Shona and Ndebele. It contains educational matter, a free pattern service, and announcements of national competitions. Club news adds  greatly to communication between Homecraft clubs and similar organisations.

From the beginning, contact has been maintained with other societies in Africa.  W.I. widened its horizons considerably in 1937 when it became a member society of the Associated Country Women of the World and Rhodesian delegates have attended the A.C.W.W. Triennial Conferences ever since.

In 1946 a Victory Meeting was held at the Victoria Falls together with representatives from Northern Rhodesia, Kenya and South Africa.  This meeting was the first effort at drawing together similar societies from neighbouring countries with a view to exchanging ideas and furthering friendship and understanding.

Concern for people of other countries was shown when Institutes played a leading role in helping to house and clothe thousands of refugees who poured in from the Congo in 1960.

The international side of our work has grown in strength and importance. Visitors from far and near have been warmly welcomed and many links of friendship and understanding forged.

Home and Country, the house magazine of the W.I., is a vital link between members. It encourages the aspiring writer, promoting competitions in verse and short stories and endeavours to inform, edify and entertain.

In 1972 the W.I. held an International Seminar in Salisbury attended by delegates from societies in the Republic of South Africa, the Ciskei, South West Africa, Malawi and Rhodesia.  The theme of the seminar was “Progress through Communication” and during its ten days duration it was possible to see developments over a wide section of the country and particularly within the Homecraft movement.

Encouragement and sharing of skills has always been fostered and beautiful handwork can be seen in Institute halls and members’ homes. Interest has been stimulated by competitions and exhibitions of handcrafts, painting, photography and floral art.

In 1946 Lady Tait, then Patroness of the W.I.s, suggested that Institutes undertake a composite work depicting the history of Rhodesia in needlework.  Members had for years collected items of local interest which would be of value to future historians. They accepted the proposal and set to work to portray the story of Rhodesia in embroidered panels – emulating the famous Bayeux Tapestry. There were many set-backs but at last in 1963 the tapestry was presented to the nation, a fitting gift in memory of pioneer women.

 

There have been many challenges: baby clinics, nursery schools and education in the rural areas: youth centres and the care of the aged; the welfare of all communities; safety in the home and on the roads; soil conservation and preservation; environmental pollution, the pollution of the mind and the preservation of our national heritage, the list is endless.

There was one famous occasion when a Government spokesman ventured to speak at a Congress to a resolution on a proposed Home for Women Alcoholics, which Government considered unnecessary.  Apparently he failed to get the message across for a voice from the back rows boomed: “Give us the Home, we’ll soon fill it!”

In 1955 a Vigilance Committee was formed by the Bulawayo Institutes.  This action was prompted by the ever increasing cost of living and complaints of price discrepancies.  This committee now works in co-operation with other women’s organisations protecting consumer interests and promoting consumer understanding.

At Institute meetings Adult Education plays a major part with talks, discussions, lectures, play-readings and demonstrations.  There is a goodly measure of fun and laughter and always time for that friendly cup of tea so dear to the hearts of women.

After fifty years, members continue to represent an interesting cross-section of town and country wives, professional women, housewives with a social conscience and newcomers simply looking for companionship.

Some pictures from the Annual Congress held at Greendale, Highlands in 1974

 

And what of Tomorrow?  Half a century has passed since the first W.I. was formed in Rhodesia.  Looking back with pride we acknowledge with gratitude the work of the pioneers in our organisation – their imagination, foresights and unswerving faith.

Many changes have taken place in the country. Adjustment to ideas and the ability to establish new policies have been our strength and must continue.

We face the future with renewed enthusiasm and strength of purpose, to meet the rapid changes in today’s world, keeping before us the spiritual ideals of Fellowship, Understanding, Truth and Justice.

 

The Mary Stewart Collect used by W.I.s throughout the world.

Keep us, O Lord from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word and deed.

Let us be done with fault finding and leave off self-seeking.

May we put away all pretence and meet each other face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice.

May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous.

Teach us to put into action our better impulses, straight-forward and unafraid.

Let us take time for all things; make us grow calm, serene, gentle.

Grant that we may realize that it is the little things that create differences;

that in the big things of life we are one,

and may we strive to touch and know the great human heart common to us all,

and, O Lord God, let us not forget to be kind.

 

The above text and photos were taken from the N.F.W.I.R Jubilee Book 1925 – 1975.

 

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HOMECRAFT

From the earliest days of the Federation of  Women’s Institutes, matters concerning the African people have been debated. A Standing Committee of African interests was appointed in 1937 and studied subjects such as Immigrant Labour, Mission and Government Schools, instruction in Soil and Water Conservation, Hostels for African Girls, Clinics and Hospitals and Domestic Service.

In 1947 a voluntary band of workers, mostly  W.I. members, visited their local African Township regularly, giving talks to the women on Hygiene, Mothercraft, Sewing, Knitting, etc.  They were known as the, ‘Hygiene Ladies’. This showed the way for the formation of Homecraft Clubs and, with evidence of great expansion, necessitated a separate Standing Committee which was appointed in 1951. There are now  over 800 clubs with a membership of some 16 000.

Homecraft is a vast field of endeavour and a well-planned project of self-help provided by W.l.  It is practical and suited to the needs of those it serves. Through a club movement, it aims to provide African women with a system of adult education in all aspects of home-making including nutrition and home agriculture, health and hygiene, child care, and domestic crafts.  Club Management and Literacy teaching are included. This education is directed towards the betterment of family life and encourages the womenfolk to realise their responsibilities to the community.

The Homecraft project is financed by grants and donations from the Tribal Trust Land Board, The Beit Trust, the Rhodesia State Lotteries, the Associated Country Women of the World and interested friends at home and abroad.  Finance is administered by the Federation at National level – by the National Officers and the Convener appointed by the Executive Council. The Convener is assisted by a full time Secretary, the only salaried position. For the purpose of administration the country is divided into six provinces each with a voluntary Provincial Organiser who is an Institute Member.

Homecraft Clubs function in the Tribal areas, urban and peri-urban areas, on farms and on mines. When they are able to run their affairs satisfactorily, they may qualify to become Homecraft Institutes. In each Province, these Institutes elect two members to attend the Annual Congress of N.F.W.l. as full voting delegates.

In the early days all training was carried out on a voluntary basis by European members, many of whom travelled very long distances. As membership increased from hundreds to thousands, it became evident that qualified demonstrators and club leaders were necessary among the African women themselves. A programme of Leadership Training, at residential level, was introduced, beginning in Bulawayo in 1962. Such training has been done throughout the country with Courses ranging from 3-day to 10 weeks’ duration.  African leaders have participated fully with organisation and training. Progress has also been made towards providing courses for Area Leaders and setting up Area Committees.

Further development within the movement took place in 1964 with a gift of two Landrovers plus administration costs for 3 years. These were donated by the N.F.W.l.s of England, Wales and the Channel Islands through the Freedom from Hunger Campaign (LONDON). The vehicles are staffed by paid African personnel who, often assisted by voluntary helpers, tour the country teaching and giving demonstrations. They cover some twenty-thousand miles a year and visit clubs, mainly in the Tribal areas, some of which are very remote.

Communication between Headquarters and Clubs is greatly assisted by the Homecraft Magazine – the only Magazine in the country published expressly for African club women. lt caters for members of any women’s organisation.

Greater opportunities for co-ordination with other societies in the Homecraft field has been provided by the Women’s Group Liaison of the Rhodesia Council of Social Service.

By stimulating and encouraging the women to think for themselves in relation to what they want, help has been given to develop from attitudes of indifference and apathy in homemaking to those of seeking knowledge with enthusiasm. Improvement in the standard of living and an awakening sense of responsibility among the African women is evident. The history of Homecraft is one of incredible expansion and of success against great odds.

 

The following are some extracts from the W.I. magazine Rhodesian Homecraft

 

 

 

Here is an approximate translation from the original Shona of the winning entry of the W.I. Golden Jubilee Year poetry competition. The competition was open to all primary schools and Isaac Mucharega won First Prize – as shown centre above.

Farming the Field

Let’s farm the field, my child.
The farming season has come now, the summer season has come.
What you eat is what you harvest, my child.
Wealth is in the field. School fees are found there.
Clothing comes from there too.
Determination, my child, is the most important thing in the world.
If you lack determination, you lack the legs to get anywhere in this world.
The rain falls and falls, the rain pours down. Let’s farm the field.

Gourds, pumpkins and cabbage are delicious.
Strength doesn’t kill a person, and work doesn’t kill a person, my child.
If you persevere, you’ll find something that rescues you.
If you’re lazy, you’ll die a complete baboon (fool).
Even your own relatives will laugh at you.
Let’s farm the field, my child.
Everything you need comes from the field.
Work hard and give your all in every job you do.

Isaac Mucharega

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When the social history of Rhodesia comes to be written, it will be recognised that the Women’s Institutes have played no inconsiderable part in it.

As can be seen from much of the above, the Women’s Institutes of Rhodesia put in a great deal of effort over many years to improve the lot of all sections of Rhodesian society.  Those who may have an interest can also read this detailed history which spans over 70 pages.