Courage of women celebrated

National Women’s Day in South Africa is celebrated annually on August 9 to commemorate the courage and determination of women.

On this day in 1956, about 20 000 women made their way to the Union Building in Pretoria with a petition with more than 100 000 signatures against the pass law.

The petition requested that the pass law should not apply to women, as it would lead to broken homes and the humiliation of women.

The women stood in silence for half an hour before starting to sing a song that translates to ‘if you strike a woman, you strike a rock’.

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The march was led by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams. National Women’s Day was only officially celebrated from 1994 to commemorate the bravery of the women who participated.

August is also seen as Women’s Month during which various issues are focused on such as gender-based violence, gender equality and women empowerment.

Quotes from a few remarkable women:

“What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful and your voice matters.” – Kamala Harris (vice-president of the United States of America).

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“You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” – Serena Williams (former professional tennis player and ranked as world number one in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association).

“To those who oppose us, we say, ‘Strike the woman, and you strike the rock.’” – Winne Madikizela Mandela (politician and the second wife of Nelson Mandela).

“Through life, I have learned that the most important critic whose judgement of my actions matters, is my conscience.” – Thuli Madonsela (South African advocate and professor of law).

“Success is not measured by wealth or power, but by the impact we have on the lives of others.” – Helen Suzman (an anti-apartheid, human rights activist).