Never underestimate a silent protest

This week, on Women’s Day, we commemorate one of the most historic protests ever to be held on South African soil – the 1956 Women’s March.

Sixty years ago, on 9 August, 20 000 women staged a peaceful march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in silent protest against the Apartheid government’s draconic pass laws.

We should never forget this memorable protest, led by four extraordinary women, Helen Joseph, Lilian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa, Albertina Sisulu and Sophia Williams-de Bruyn. When they took their brave stand against the Apartheid government, they helped mould the future of South Africa.

Sixty years later, on the eve of Women’s Day, another four brave women, held a silent protest while millions watched on television. They did not only shake the election results ceremony on Saturday night with their quiet but powerful stand. They reminded all South Africans of the unacceptably high rate of sexual violence in our country.

Dressed in black and brandishing five simple placards, they stood in front of the stage just as President Jacob Zuma started his speech during the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) results’ announcement ceremony. The words on the placards were silent reminders of the scourge of sexual violence in our country and Zuma’s trial and acquittal after he was charged with rape ten years ago.

We salute the brave women in our country who have in the past, and still today, take a stand against the abuse of women.

Let us also never forget the spontaneous song the 20 000 women sang back in 1956 after standing in silence for thirty minutes. “When you strike a woman, you strike a rock.”

These words are even more relevant today.