09/08/2026
IHLM WOMEN'S DAY 2026 MESSAGE
Today South Africa marks 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March. On that day, more than 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings to protest the extension of Pass Laws and the Urban Areas Act. The theme for this year: “Empowered Women Empower The Nation” and is used to pay tribute to the women of 1956 who fought for human rights, gender equality and social justice.
Continuously, we salute the yesteryear heroines, iconic figures, such as Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn. The march became a defining moment in South Africa's struggle for equality and justice. Their courageous chant "Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo" ("You strike a woman, you strike a rock"), continues to inspire South Africa's commitment to advancing gender equality, women's empowerment, and social justice.
I want to draw the attention of women of today to the challenges we continue to face everyday. Gender-based Violence and Femicide tops the agenda. We must fight until all perpetrators get it. Women must be protected, heard, loved. Secondly, women must form part of the economy and be involved in economic growth drivers of the country. There must be no rest until these, and other items, are addressed in accordance.
With these few words I wish zonke iimbokodo a Happy and Blessed Women's Day.
IHLM Mayor: Cllr. P.N. Pepping, 9 August 2026
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