by Tsholofelo Mokgabudi
Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Sophia Williams led the 1956 Women's March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The month of August is dedicated to celebrating women in remembrance of the 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. The 1956 Women’s March played a crucial role in women becoming more active and recognized participants in the anti-apartheid struggle. Their dedication and fearlessness are the pinnacles of our own movement today. There are still numerous ways in which the world can change and improve, however we have still managed to come this far.
The harsh realities women face each day also serve as a reminder of all the work that still needs to be done in ensuring equality and dismantling oppression of women. There are so many names that are echoed as we walk through the streets of independence and even some who have laid down their lives for the freedom which we have today. A country like South Africa can not fail to remember all that has been done to succeed in establishing a democratic society May we never grow tired of honoring them. All the women who fought and continue to fight in this struggle. May we always remember them as the backbone of their communities, the heroes of their households and as the valorous beings who still carry the movement today. The women who will lead us to the end of this battle. The women who have inspired us to be as remarkable and resilient.
To the women of this great land, the mothers of our freedom and to all the leaders of tomorrow, we celebrate you. We thank you. May we continue moving forward as we are lead by great examples such as the women who marched on that monumental day. The baton has been passed on, now our own movement begins.
Again.
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