The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship was established in Britain in 1901 following a request by the South African Guild of Loyal Women for the establishment of an organisation concerned with fostering closer ties between the different parts of the British Empire. The Victoria League named in honour of Queen Victoria and her commitment to the unity of the British Empire, worked to promote friendly relations and closer links between the different parts of the Empire, primarily through exchanging information and providing a friendly welcome as well as accommodation and entertainment for visitors from other parts of the Empire. Leagues were soon founded throughout the Empire, including South Africa, New Zealand, Tasmania and Canada. The headquarters of the Victoria League were situated in London. However, although supportive of its endeavours, the leagues in various parts of the Empire operated autonomously from the London headquarters under their own constitutions and own agendas. This allowed the various leagues scope to work for the issues and concerns within their own countries that they felt demanded attention. Membership was open to both men and women, although women comprised the bulk of membership, with male members often filling executive positions within the organization. Leagues were supported by voluntary contributions from members and sympathisers, as well as through annual subscriptions and fund-raising events.
The Victoria League, Pietermaritzburg Branch, was established in 1912. The membership of the Pietermaritzburg Branch was established in 1912.The membership of the Pietermaritzburg Branch was composed primarily of English-speaking women and, like the Durban Branch, exhibited a very strong British affiliation throughout its exercise, being very attached to Britain and to ideas of Englishness and Empire. This strong British attachment can be very clearly seen in the allegiances and activities of the Pietermaritzburg League. For example, in 1961 when South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth, the members of the Pietermaritzburg League expressed their distaste for the withdrawal and were very anxious to ensure that their links with Britain and the London headquarters remained as strong as ever. Although theoretically non-political and non-racial, the league was geared towards the white English-speaking section of the population. Activities in which this branch was involved included hospitality services for visitors, a club for servicemen on leave, the making of comforts for servicemen on active duty, and the organizing of annual celebrations such as Empire Day, later known as Commonwealth Day.
