Remembering why South Africa celebrates Women’s Day

Women’s Day, that is celebrated on August 9 in South Africa annually, is not just another public holiday, it is an opportunity to pay homage to the women who put their lives on the line 66 years ago to fight against apartheid laws in the country.

On August 9, 1956, about 20 000 South African women from all walks of life marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950, commonly referred to as the “pass laws”, that required black people to carry a ‘pass’.

The ‘dompas’ served to maintain population segregation, control urbanisation and manage migrant labour during the apartheid era.

Women of all ethnic groups were outraged and indignant about these travel restrictions as well as about apartheid in general and handed over a petition with over 100 000 signatures. Although the then Prime Minister, J.G. Strijdom was not there to receive the petitions, the message was sent loud and clear.

Leaders of the movement included Amina Cachalia, Lilian Ngoyi, Sophia Williams, Rahima Moosa, and Helen Joseph.

The women then sang a protest song that was composed in honour of the occasion: Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo! (You strike a woman, you strike a rock).

In the years since, the phrase has come to represent women’s courage and strength in South Africa.

In 1994, after democratic government came to South Africa, National Women’s Day was first celebrated.