What is National Women’s Day?
We celebrate this day every year, but do you actually know what the significance is?
Every year on 9 August, South Africa pays tribute to the women who marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950.
More than 20 000 women of all races participated in the march on 9 August 1956.
The march was led by Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams.
The women left petitions containing more than 100 000 signatures at the office doors of prime minister JG Strijdom.
The women then stood silently for 30 minutes, after which they started singing a protest song, Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo! that was composed for the occasion.
This phrase translates to “Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock”.
The first National Women’s Day was celebrated on 9 August 1994 in honour of this inspiring display of political strength, female solidarity and inner fortitude.
See also:
•Women the worst in terms of body shaming
•On this day in history: White women achieve suffrage in South Africa
•Inspiring women who have made a difference
