No pair were more in tune with disrupting the ‘peace’ put forth by the old regime than identical twins Rahima Moosa and Fatima Seedat. Born on the 14th October 1922 in the Strand, Cape Town.

The twins went on to work in a food factory after completing High School, where Rahima worked as a secretary. In 1948, after being approached by the General Secretary of the Food and Canning Workers Union, Rahima was elected as shop steward. The twins started their political activism as teenagers after they became aware of the unjust segregationist laws that ruled South Africa at the time.

Rahima moved to Johannesburg and married Dr Hassen Mohammed Moosa (a fellow Comrade and treason trialist) in 1951 & together were blessed with 4 children, who are all politically active. While in Johannesburg, Rahima was involved with the Transvaal Indian Congress and later, the ANC. She played a critical role, in 1955, in organizing the Congress of the People, where the Freedom Charter was adopted. As member of the FEDSAW, she played an important role in fighting against appalling and inhumane living conditions.

She helped organize the Women’s March together with other noted Women Heroes, in 1956,while more than 8 months pregnant with her daughter, Natasha. Rahima and Fatima caused mayhem for the security branch officers as they could easily switch identities, in times of harassment.

Rahima became listed (living under constant surveillance with movements restricted) in 1960 until 1990. She has since inspired her children and husband to remain politically active after her passing in 1993 as a result of her health deteriorating following a heart attack. Her twin sister Fatima Seedat passed on in 2003.

In her memory, Coronation Hospital in Johannesburg was renamed on the 29th September 2008 to Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.Remember these powerful and impactful Silent Heroes.

Credit to sahistory.org.za & Jhbcityparks.com