Gauteng Premier David Makhura will deliver an opening address at the National Women’s Day celebration to be held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday, 09 August 2016.

Celebrated under the theme “Women United in Moving South Africa Forward”, this year’s event will mark 60 years since the iconic 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings against the discriminatory pass laws, which had restricted the movement of black people in the country.

Prior to the main event at the union buildings, Premier Makhura together with Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthetwa, Minister in the Presidency for women, Susan  Shabangu and MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Faith Mazibuko will join President Zuma at the  unveiling of the Women’s Living Heritage Monument at the Lillian Ngoyi Square in the Pretoria Central Business District.

The women’s monument as well as a heritage site will honour the women for their contribution and the role they played in the struggle for freedom, democracy and development of South Africa.

The monument includes a multi-purpose centre that will provide space for formal and informal training for women and market access for local craft. It will also provide information to the youth about the women's struggle for emancipation and also serve as a leadership training centre where women will be taught about political and developmental issues.


Opening of the Women’s monument will take place as follows:

Date:               9 August 2016
Time:              07h30
Venue:            State Theatre, Lilian Ngoyi street Tshwane

Details of the Women’s day celebrations are as follows:

Date:               Tuesday, 09 August 2016
Time:               09h00
Venue:            Union Buildings, Pretoria



For media enquiries contact Phumla Sekhonyane, Spokesperson to the Premier on 071 860 4496 or phumla.sekhonyane@gauteng.gov.za  or Themba Gadebe, Ekurhuleni Municipality spokesperson on 076 303 7594.