Sixty years years ago the streets leading to the Union Buildings were abuzz with songs of agony and frustration.
They were sung by women tired of being mistreated by the then prime minister Johannes Gerhardus (JG) Strijdom and his administration.
The songs were heard as more than 20 000 women of different races marched alongside activists Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophie de Bruin and Sophie Williams.
The disgruntled women carried petitions to protest against the pass laws which they condemned as unfair.
The march was organised by the Federation of SA Women (Fedsaw) and led by Moosa, Ngoyi, Joseph and Williams from the white, coloured, Indian and black communities.
Fedsaw made a written request beforehand for the prime minister to meet the leaders and listen to their point of view. The request was refused.
The women’s march was a spectacular success. Women from parts of the country as far afield as Cape Town and Port Elizabeth streamed to Pretoria.
Fedsaw declared the event a monumental achievement but many women today, especially the younger ones, are not so sure.
Rekord spoke to locals about the importance of celebrating Women’s Day.
Nolukhanya Skhosana from KwaNdebele said: “I see there has been change in the past 60 years and achievements like that of mama Thokozile Masipa who would have not studied law or practised it 60 years ago.”
Skhosana said much had been achieved over the years.
Solomon Motshego said much more needed to be done to improve the lives of women.
“My mother has not received all the emancipation we are celebrating today. But for those who have achieved it, it is better to celebrate their those gains.”
Golden Sundani from Pretoria West said it was important for men to honour this day.
“Men need to celebrate their women – mothers – who have been there for them,” he said.
“We should all stand up and thank the likes of mama Lillian Ngoyi who has paved the way for not only women but men too.”
Student Tivanani Mabunda said women should be empowered even more – and not just on special days.
Thobelani Sopam said he remembered women from his home town in the Eastern Cape, who had fought hard against racism, segregation and oppression.
“My mother and my aunts fought to see us all free from the passes and the acts that were holding them down,” he said.
“They won that war and today we are celebrating them and the likes of mama Winnie Mandela.”
Kgomotso Busang said she wanted women to be celebrated every day.
“Every day should be Women’s Day – not just August 9. We owe it to women who fought hard to be where we are today and that is something worth celebrating each day.”
Mama Inky Buys said women should come together and support each other.
“As much as we are about celebrating women, we should create platforms were women can come together and talk about issues affecting them.”
Also read:
Full-figured women shake it on the runway
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.
