The past plays present in Women’s Day history
SOUTH AFRICA - Why do we celebrate Women's Day? That is the question. Read a brief history about our remarkable women of the past.
In commemoration of Women’s Day on 9 August it is important to remember why we celebrate our women.
On 9 August 1956, over 20 000 women of different backgrounds marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to hand over a petition to the the prime minister.
The march was led by the Federation of South African Women and four of our country’s most honoured activists – Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams and Lilian Ngoyi.
This was in protest against the so-called ‘pass laws’ which required women to carry passes when travelling in between urban and rural areas.
In present day South Africa we have women who are still upholding the calibre we have seen from our history.
Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela is a woman who makes her decisions independently of any politics or prejudice. She not only envokes the spirit of fair justice but still upholds the rights of all women in South Africa. Madonsela is renowned for her impartial ruling and strong ethics. It is women like Madonsela that all of us should be celebrating on the 9 August.
