A mother, rape survivor, journalist/writer who became well-known, at the age of 17 when she reported on the 1976 Soweto uprising the dead bodies and the intense emotions it stirred. Charlene works voluntarily with rape survivors and people with HIV. She initiated a website for rape survivors, those with HIV and for legal and medical practitioners in those fields. Her work has influenced access to anti-retrovirals for rape survivors in South Africa, Namibia and the USA. Her work now is focused on changing attitudes towards women, on educating South African society and doing away with the myths and ignorance that propagate disease, violence and crime.
biographyREF B-0009083Revised
Biography record
Charlene Smith
- Updated
- 14 Aug 2020
South African History Online. (2011, February 17). Charlene Smith. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/B-0009083
South African History Online (2011) 'Charlene Smith', South African History Online, 17 February. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/B-0009083 (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
South African History Online, Charlene Smith [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/B-0009083, (accessed 24 July 2026).
"Charlene Smith." South African History Online, 17 Feb. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/B-0009083. Accessed 24 July 2026.
South African History Online. "Charlene Smith." South African History Online. February 17, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ts/ref/B-0009083.
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