Women unite to mark 69 years since iconic march
Thousands gathered at the Union Buildings to celebrate women’s achievements and call for greater equality.
The Gauteng Provincial Government, in partnership with the Tshwane metro, hosted the annual Women’s Day celebration at the Union Buildings on Saturday.
Marking the 69th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March, the event was held under the theme ‘Building Resilient Economies for All’.
The day began with a powerful re-enactment of the march, as the women in the safety and security cluster led a 2.2km procession from Tshwane House, located on the corner of Lillian Ngoyi and Madiba streets, to the Union Buildings.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and other government officials joined the march, paying tribute to the courage of the women who fought for freedom.
Addressing the crowd at the Union Buildings, Premier Lesufi highlighted the importance of unity and economic empowerment for women.
The celebration continued with a music festival featuring an all-female line-up.
MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Matome Chiloane, said the province had made significant strides in creating an enabling environment for women to thrive.
“Over the years, Gauteng has created an enabling environment for women to thrive both in their personal and professional lives.
“Investing in women and girls in areas such as sport, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities will remain one of the province’s priorities,” he said.
He said they salute the achievements of women over the years, including their pivotal role in transforming the nation, and their contributions to socio-economic development.
“We will continue to honour women from different spheres of life for their remarkable achievements and overcoming challenges and societal barriers.”
An on-site government and business expo brought services closer to residents, with organisations such as SARS, Home Affairs, SASSA, the Department of Health and economic development agencies offering assistance and information to attendees.
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