Society, Work and Politics Institute associate Kally Forrest has won the 2025 National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) Award for Best Non-Fiction Biography for her book ‘Lydia: Anthem to the Unity of Women’.

The biography, published by Jacana Media, follows the life of Lydia Komape, also known as Mam Lydia Kompe, with her family, friends, comrades and ancestors, from Limpopo and Johannesburg to Cape Town where Komape sat in Nelson Mandela’s Parliament.

Despite not labelling herself a feminist, Forrest’s book highlighted Komape’s pioneering feminist views and activities during the years of apartheid, as well as her leadership qualities, despite only having a Grade 9 education.

It describes the impact the loss of her family’s land in the 1930s had on her and highlights her independence and humour notwithstanding.

Komape’s connection with rural women and the discrimination against them is documented.

Forrest explained that Kompe kept her connection to rural woman even in her request for her funeral, stating that when she died, it was ordinary rural women who should be at the forefront of her funeral, as they were the people who knew her well.

Judges described the book as “substantively South African”, and that it is presented “clearly, cogently and coherently”.

“The writing style is both accessible, and scholarly rigorous. The innovation lies in the focus on the life of a woman who has not yet received scholarly or popular attention as she deserves,” the judges said.

Watch Polity’s interview with Kally Forrest on her book ‘Lydia: Anthem to the Unity of Women’ here.