South African women's rights activist, politician and writer Ellen Kuzwayo.
Ellen Kuzway has just published her autobiography 'Call Me Woman' which documents the story of living under the apartheid regime in South Africa.
Forced to live apart from her sons, dispossessed of her home, restricted in her movements, and at the age of sixty three Ellen Kuzway was detained for a period of five months. Despite her experience, she has worked as a teacher and a social worker and has contributed to a film about life in South Africa.
A mother of three and a grandmother of five, Ellen Kuzway has become known as The Mother of Soweto where she now lives.
Ellen is surprised to hear that Irish workers at Dunne Stores are making a stand against the regime and commends their efforts. She believes any stand against the regime is helpful and is a display of solidarity.
Sometimes we feel extremely isolated.
Ellen goes on to tell Gay about the background to the current troubles in Soweto. Eighteen months ago, "coloured" people were given political rights to vote but not black people leading to separation and isolation in their own country.
This isolation and separation is evident in everyday life where black people do not have freedom of movement in public and must carry an identity pass at all times.
The movement of black people is very much impaired in South Africa.
One of the biggest problems facing black people is fair access to employment.
This episode of The Late Late Show was broadcast on 13 April 1985. The presenter is Gay Byrne.
