Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa has led the nation in commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women's March, describing the occasion as one of the most important days on South Africa's national calendar. Addressing the gathering at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Sunday-the site to which the women marched-the President honored the more than 20,000 women who marched against the apartheid government's pass laws on 9 August 1956.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa emphasized the significance of this day, stating, "Today is no ordinary commemoration. National Women's Day is a day on which we honor the women of South Africa. But it is also a day of profound significance for our entire country." He highlighted that the Women's March of 1956 was not merely a footnote in the struggle for freedom but a pivotal moment that changed the course, character, and leadership of that struggle, demonstrating that women were not merely supporters but also leaders, organizers, and authors of the movement.
On that historic day in 1956, women marched to the seat of apartheid power, bearing petitions with some 100,000 signatures, and then stood in complete and determined silence. "But theirs was not the silence of fear. It was not the silence of submission. It was the silence of courage gathering its strength. It was the silence of women who knew that they carried the justice of their cause within them," President Ramaphosa remarked. For thirty minutes, there was no chant, no speech, and no cry. Yet, their silence spoke volumes, awakening the conscience of a nation.
President Ramaphosa also paid tribute to the four women who were at the forefront of the march: Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophie de Bruyn. He acknowledged that they were strengthened by thousands of women behind them-names that should be recorded in history. He welcomed the work of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Sophia and Henry De Bruyn Legacy Foundation in their "Write Her into History" campaign, urging families and individuals to contribute their stories to preserve the legacy of those courageous women.
Reflecting on the leaps of democracy since 1994, President Ramaphosa noted that South Africa has made significant strides in empowering women, with many occupying high offices, including Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Justice, National Speaker, and more. He highlighted that South Africa ranks highly on global indices for women's empowerment, gender parity, and political representation, acknowledging the progress made and the foundations laid by the women of 1956.
However, he also acknowledged the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), which the government has classified as a national disaster. The President called for societal action, emphasizing that GBVF is not just a women's problem but a societal issue, urging men and boys to be part of the solution and to break the silence surrounding these crimes.
Looking to the future, President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to come together to honor the legacy of the women of 1956 by building a nation where no woman's potential is limited by poverty, prejudice, violence, or discrimination. He pledged to work towards a South Africa where women are equal in law, opportunity, safety, and power.
Meanwhile, Sophie de Bruyn, a struggle stalwart, urged a new generation of women to rise against contemporary issues such as gender-based violence, corruption, and inequality. In her address, she reflected on the determination and courage of the women who marched in 1956, emphasizing the continued relevance of their spirit in today's struggles. "The joy of that solidarity, the triumph of knowing that we could break the back of oppression is a fire that still burns deep within me even today," she said.
