August is a special month for all imbokodo in South Africa.
Annually on August 9, SA commemorates Women’s Day to celebrate and recognise the resilient women who marched to the Union Buildings (UB) in 1956 to protest the extension of pass laws to women.
On this day 67 years ago, at least 20 000 women marched to the UB in Pretoria to protest laws restricting black women’s movements in metropolitan areas under the apartheid regime.
Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams led the protest.
This law required all South Africans classified as black to carry an internal passport. Its purpose was to maintain segregation, control urbanisation, and manage migrant labour during apartheid.
These photographs were captured during the Women’s Day celebration hosted by Jikekasi Arts and Crafts and Technicon at Maphanga Section, Katlehong, on August 9.
People of all ages could participate in various activities, including sports, indigenous games, and dance and theatre performances.