As we are closing off the women’s month, it is in my pleasure and honour to record how far the women of South Africa have come.
From the time of Helen Joseph and Ma Albertina Sisulu’s march in 1956 to the time of the women of the 80’s and to women of 2000’s.
The most amazing thing is that the baton has never fallen down, the light is continuously shining and being fuelled.
The presence of women is being felt in all spheres of government (National, Provincial and local) and in the private sector.
Every day I witness women doing extra ordinary things, stemming from the march of 1956.
Since that day, many doors have been unlocked.
It’s a great that the 9th of August is recognised as Women’s Day in South Africa and that the whole of August as Women’s Month.
Now as we are closing off the month, I’m mostly humbled by women such as Patricia De Lille who is a mayor yet at home is still a mother, an aunt and a wife to her family. Big ups to women like Thuli Madontsela, who has shown many women that one can be firm and strong and yet be calm and polite despite any reservations.
I’m extremely humbled by women such as Leah Tutu and Wendy Ackerman whom seldom make headlines but when you hear their husbands relate that the unshakable support they received from these women is what has kept them going. I’m humbled by the gold medallist Caster Semenya who had to fight for her female gender due to prejudice and discrimination that still exists in the world.
Women of South African have shown greater strength as the backbone of this wonderful national.
Women are proving the point that they are capable based on their qualities and qualifications, as some are CEO’s and manager in big companies.
Many are continuously reminding us that we need to care for the less fortunate in order to grow the nation, doing that via the establishment of NGO’s. Like Tileng Mabatho who quit her permanent job of nursing to open a NGO called Phakama Community Health. Fiona Brophy who gave up her privileged life to nurture and assist young entrepreneurs in the townships and those who want to follow their careers in any field. These wonderful women are our rock. We must appreciate them.
