On February 3, 1913, Indian Opinion from Durban noted:
“The year 1913 (says the African People's Organization) will probably never be forgotten by the Moslems of the Cape because of the distinction gained by three Moslem girls: Miss Rukea Dollie, a cousin of Dr Abdurahman, is the first Moslem girl to gain the Cape T3 Certificate. Miss Hawa Effendi, a niece of the doctor, has just passed the London Matric, in the first division in English, French, Latin, mathematics, and history. She is the daughter of the late Ahmed Effendi, who, during his lifetime, was well-known in Cape Town and Kimberley. Miss Havva is at present in London and intends to study medicine. Our contemporary believes that Misses Havva and Waradea are not only the first Moslem girls, but the first non-European girls of South Africa to pass either the Cape Junior Certificate or the London Matric.”
In the early 1920s, South Africa was a land of immense beauty, cultural diversity, and deep-seated societal divides. In this complex tapestry of a nation, Havva emerged as a trailblazer, her journey marked by determination and resilience.
Born in Cape Town in 1888, she was deeply inspired by her uncle, Dr Abdullah Abdurrahman, a prominent political leader. After the death of her father Ahmet, Havva was raised by her mother, Muhsine.
Pursuing a career in medicine as a woman in the early 20th century was fraught with challenges. The societal norms of the time were rigid, and opportunities for women, especially in fields like medicine, were scarce. But Havva was not one to be deterred by obstacles. Her resolve was further tested when World War I erupted. Undeterred, she travelled to London to pursue her studies, despite the dangers and uncertainties.
London during the war was a city under siege, with bombings and food shortages becoming a grim part of daily life. But for Havva, the pursuit of knowledge and the dream of becoming a doctor were worth the sacrifice. The medical school environment was gruelling, and being a woman in a predominantly male institution only added to the pressures.
As a Muslim girl, Havva faced discrimination and scepticism from her peers and professors. Yet, she excelled in her studies, driven by the belief that she was not just earning a degree for herself, but paving the way for other women who would follow.
On completing her studies, Dr Havva returned to South Africa and established her practice in Johannesburg, a city bustling with life and rife with inequalities. She dedicated herself to providing care to the under-served communities, often working long hours under challenging conditions.
Her compassion and dedication earned her the respect and trust of her patients, many of whom had never been treated by a Muslim female doctor before.
Dr Havva eventually became a beacon of hope and an advocate for women’s rights, inspiring future generations of female doctors in South Africa. Her legacy is one of courage, determination, and groundbreaking achievement.
Dr. Havva died in 1962 and was buried at the Johannesburg Muslim cemetery.
First female Muslim doctor of South Africa, Dr Havva Khayrunnisa Effendi.
— Halim Gençoğlu (@halimgencoglu) April 30, 2021
She was born in Kimberley in 1888, studied in London and died in Johannesburg in 1962.
Dr Khayrunnisa became a forgotten figure in African history.#womandoctors #africanwoman @G_MachelTrust #Muslimwomen https://t.co/ZaBNk5H442 pic.twitter.com/FTztgxDdMh
* Halim Gençoğlu is a historian with PhD from UCT and is a post-doctoral fellow at Wits University.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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