Charlotte Maxeke, politician and founder of the Bantu Women’s League of South Africa, is born

Date: 7 Apr 1884
Updated: 20 Jul 2026

Charlotte Maxeke, politician and founder of the Bantu Women’s League of South Africa, is born

Charlotte Maxeke was born on 7 April 1847 in Fort Beaufort in Cape Town. From a young age Maxeke showed musical talent. She finished primary school early and her parents moved to Kimberly, where Maxeke completed her secondary school. It was at this time that she took part in musical activities. She joined a choir, and traveled throughout Europe performing. One of the highlights was the 1897 Jubilee at the London Royal Albert Hall where she performed for the Queen. Maxeke then travelled to the US on a church scholarship, where she obtained her doctorate in Arts and Humanities. She met her husband Marshall Maxeke during her stay in the US. Upon her return to South Africa, Maxeke took up teaching and also took part in political activities in the African National Congress (ANC). She co-founded the Bantu Women’s League of South Africa, later renamed the ANC Women’s League. Maxeke died on 16 October 1939. Johannesburg Hospital has been renamed the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in honor of her contribution to the freedom struggle.

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01Johannesburg Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke, from Johannesburg Hospital, [online], Available at www.johannesburghospital.org.za [Accessed: 15 March 2012]
02DACB, MAXEKE, Charlotte Manye, from Dictionary of African Christian Biography, [online], Available at www.dacb.org [Accessed: 07 April 2014]

Last updated · 20 Jul 2026

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, April 5). Charlotte Maxeke, politician and founder of the Bantu Women’s League of South Africa, is born. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/E-0081386

South African History Online (2012) 'Charlotte Maxeke, politician and founder of the Bantu Women’s League of South Africa, is born', South African History Online, 5 April. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/E-0081386 (Accessed: 22 July 2026).

South African History Online, Charlotte Maxeke, politician and founder of the Bantu Women’s League of South Africa, is born [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/E-0081386, (accessed 22 July 2026).

"Charlotte Maxeke, politician and founder of the Bantu Women’s League of South Africa, is born." South African History Online, 5 Apr. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/E-0081386. Accessed 22 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Charlotte Maxeke, politician and founder of the Bantu Women’s League of South Africa, is born." South African History Online. April 5, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/E-0081386.