SAVF - Beginnings

The Anglo-Boer War was over, and all the post-war problems arose. A group of prominent women in Pretoria who were very concerned about the appalling social conditions that prevailed, met on October 19, 1904 in the home of Mrs. (Major General) Louis Botha. They came to listen and understand the experiences of Mrs. Annie Botha and Mrs Georgiana Solomon who has just returned from a trip to these rural areas.

Mrs. Solomon (nee Thompson), a Scottish lady, previously taught in Cape Town and later married a former member of the Cape Parliament, Mr Saul Solomon. The family returned to England before the Anglo-Boer War broke out. In England she learned of the horrors that the war brought. After the death of her husband, she decided to return to South Africa to provide assistance to communities that have suffered greatly during the war years.

The two ladies then traveled back to South Africa, and in their report painted a gloomy picture of what they saw and experienced. It was inspiration for the group of ladies in Mrs. Botha's house to move over to the establishment of the "Zuid-Afrikaansche Vrouwen Federatie".

The words of Mrs. Solomon: "Met Gods hulp hopen wij, vrouwen, op geestelyk en stoffelyk gebied een seggen voor Transvaal te worden" made a deep impression on these ladies and from the first meeting convened, it remained the priority of the members to be supportive and offer assistance. From Pretoria, the idea had a ripple effect and began spreading wider as branches were established throughout rural villages and in the cities.

The name of the South African Women's Federation shows that the founders originally wanted to expand across South Africa.

The association in the Cape Province became known as the ACVV (Afrikaanse Chrilstelike Vrouvereniging). Through the initiative of Mrs MT Steyn, the OVV (Oranje Vrouevereniging) was established in 1908 in the Free State. In 1915 the NCVV (Natalse Christelike Vrouevereneging) was then established.

- SAVF service delivery is still expanding