On August 9,1956, more than 20,000 women of all races, led by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams, peacefully marched on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to protest against the unjust apartheid laws of the time. The women sang the protest song Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo, meaning ‘You strike a woman, you strike a rock’ and this phrase has come to represent women’s courage and strength in South Africa. August 9 was declared a public holiday – National Women’s Day, inaugurated in 1994, along with a free democratic South Africa. It is also a day to remember that women play a pivotal role in society from politics to business, academia to the home-front… and that the rights of all women should be respected and upheld at all times. The Laudium Sun joins the female educators from Hillside Primary School (pictured above), in saluting all the women of South Africa who contribute to the fabric of our society and in paying tribute to their strength as the pillars upon which our families and communities stand. To all the incredible women out there, you are bold, beautiful, compassionate and extraordinary. Wishing you a very Happy Women’s Day.
Women’s Day messages from the community…
“We must always respect women no matter who they are. It shows that we as humans respect them. They are our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives. According to Islam, ‘heaven lies under the feet of our mothers’.”
“We wouldn’t be who we are today if it wasn’t for women. Happy Women’s Day to all women.”
“To all the incredible women out there, Happy Women’s Day. Your grace, strength and courage inspires us everyday.”
“Happy Women’s Day to my mother and all other women in the world.”
“Today is the one day set aside for us to celebrate you for the glorious womanhood you bring to this earth. Thank you for being you and Happy Women’s Day, to a great woman and friend.”
“Islam teaches us to respect women. They too have rights, so to all the wonderful women, keep on shining. Happy Women’s Day!”
“Happy Women’s Day to all the hard working women out there.”
“You will forever be our heroines, on Friday and always. Happy Women’s Day.”
“There’s no limit what we as women can accomplish. Happy Women’s Day to all women.”
“Happy Women’s day to every woman in the world.”
“The success of every woman should be, to be an inspiration to each other. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous, strong, extremely kind and above all humble. And never doubt that you are powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams. Be free, be fierce and have fun while being a feminist…!!!”
“Dear women, sometimes you will just be too much woman. Too smart, too beautiful, too strong, too much of something. That makes a man feel like less of a man which will start making you feel like you have to be less of a woman. The biggest mistake you can make is removing jewels from your crown to make it easier for a man to carry. When this happens, I need you to understand you do not need a smaller crown but rather you need a man with bigger hands.”
“Women’s Day is a reminder of our strength and perseverance as women in society. All the ladies out there, keep your head up and persevere in the face of hard times.”
“Ladies, always remember that being independent and educated is one of the best things you can be. So, never give up on your aspirations. The power lies within.”
“As the Principal of a Special School, I am a champion of Women’s rights and the rights of special needs persons. My motto is to Always Straighten the CROWN of the women around me.”
“Wishing all women a very happy Women’s Day today.”