Issued by: GCIS
7 August 2000
On 9th August this year it will be exactly forty-four years since South Africa's women of all colours marched on the Union Buildings to present a petition to then Prime Minister J.G Strydom.
A monument will be unveiled at the Union Buildings by President Thabo Mbeki on the 9th August. The President will be accompanied in the unveiling by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Dr Ben Ngubane and 12 veterans of the March. Note that the actual site of the Monument is on the vestibule - where theWest and the East blocks meet.
Media: The actual unveiling will take place at 10H00 and it will continue until 10H30.
Media are advised to take positions at the actual site of the Monument at least at 09H00 to allow for a security check by the VIP Protection Unit. Media will be shown the site upon arrival at the Union Buildings. Please note further that strictly twenty (20) media representatives will be allowed to be on the site of the Monument.
Media that are interested in covering the actual unveiling should forward their names to Fidel Hadebe at (012) 337-8277 or 083 447 6020.
After the unveiling at 10H30 the President and the unveiling party will proceed to the lower grounds of the Union Buildings where speeches will be made. At 11H00 the President will deliver his address and Minister Ngubane will then hand him a gift. Accreditation: There will be a media accreditation point on Government Avenue (where accreditation for all guests will be taking place).
Security: A strict security arrangement will be in place at the site of the Monument before and during the unveiling. You will be briefed accordingly upon arrival.
Access: Please note that access will be strictly controlled on the day. The following streets will be cordened-off: Leyds Str - between Vermeulen and Church Streets, Zeederburg - between Leyds and Belvedere, Vermeulen Str - between Church and Leyds and Vermeulen - between Leyds and Hamilton.
Media are accordingly advised to arrive early to accommodate the delay that could be caused as a result of these blockades.
Parking: Parking for media will be available behind the tent designated for service providers. This tent is situated to the left of the stage as you face South or South West. Entrance to the lower lawns where the stage is situated will be on Zeederburg Str. Please bring your media cards so that you can be granted access through some of the streets that will be blocked-off.
The programme is available upon request.
For more information please contact Fidel Hadebe at (012) 337-8277 or 083 447 6020.