Each year on the 9th of August, South Africans of all backgrounds, races and cultural groups join together to celebrate National Women’s Day.

The past

This annual public holiday commemorates an eventful day in South Africa’s history when on this day over 20 000 women of all races and ages marched towards the Union Buildings in Pretoria in protest against the pass laws that proposed even further restrictions on the movements of women. The march, led by Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, was a resounding success. However, inspirational women are not relics of the past.

The present

South Africa has many powerful women who can inspire us to make a difference and shape a better future in a plethora of arenas, such as leadership, business and humanity – often amid seemingly insurmountable odds. For example:

    • Bridgette Motsepe Radebe, who is one of Africa’s first female mine owners. Although she had humble beginnings in the mining industry, she is now the Founder, Executive Chairperson and CEO of Mmakau Mining (Pty) Ltd. She is also the president of the South African Mining Development Association, a member of the New Africa Mining Fund, and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Sappi Limited. In May 2008, she received an “International Businessperson of the Year Award” by the Global Foundation for Democracy, which recognises businesspeople who have made a difference in a world of changing political and environmental landscapes.
    • Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, previously South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, who was recently made the new chair of the African Union (AU).
    • Yolanda Zoleka Cuba, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Mvelaphanda Group Limited; she is also a Non-Executive Director of the ABSA group and a member of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Investment and Endowment Committee.

The future

It is not only the women on top who can serve as our models; although often not recognised for their bravery, hard work and dedication, there are many wonderful women in our communities, workplaces and homes who can inspire us to reach our full potential and who need to be acknowledged for their good work.

The success of our nation, of our communities, and our families is based on the success of women!

 

Sources
www.consultancyafrica.com
www.unisa.ac.za