Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
Your Excellency, Mr Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa
Hon. Mr Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture
Hon. Mr Stanley Chupu Mathabatha, Premier of Limpopo Province
Fellow South Africans
Today marks 65 years since that iconic march to the Union Buildings, which saw the brave women of our country take a stand against the country’s pass laws.
As we celebrate Women’s Day today, we honour, remember and salute all women from all generations who have been part of our struggle and have made significant contributions for our nation’s freedom, democracy and development.
We commemorate this important day and month under the theme “The year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Realising Women’s Rights”, in recognition of the 150th birthday anniversary of Mme Charlotte Makgomo Mannya Maxeke.
Mma Maxeke and other fore bearers of our liberation struggle made an invaluable contribution that led to democratic dispensation in our country.
Mma Maxeke was the first black woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Science university degree from Wilberforce University.
She also established colleges in Evaton, Botlokwa and Idutywa.
Working with other leaders, Mma Maxeke established the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. She led the first march against the pass laws in 1913.
As we celebrate this day, we are not oblivious to the many challenges facing women of our country.
The impact of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide remains a major concern and is disruptive to our collective efforts to make strides for women empowerment in our country.
COVID-19 has affected the lives and livelihoods of our people with women the hardest hit.
My wish is for South Africans to reflect on the country's strides in achieving gender equality and total emancipation of women. It is also a day for introspection for all of us of the existing challenges facing women of our country.