Limpopo province hosted the 2025 National Women’s Day celebrations at Nkowankowa Stadium outside Tzaneen, with President Cyril Ramaphosa officiating the event. Various ministers and officials delivered messages of support.
The occasion marked the 69th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where over 20 000 women protested the apartheid regime’s extension of pass laws and the Urban Areas Act.
Women’s empowerment
President Ramaphosa has called for greater investment in women’s empowerment as a catalyst for national progress.
He says the heroic women of 1956 paved the way for equal rights and empowerment, adding that, while there is greater inclusion of women in every sector of the economy and key leadership positions today, there can be no rest until society achieves gender equality.
This year’s theme, “Building Resilient Economies for All”, aligns with South Africa’s G20 Presidency focus on women’s empowerment, which prioritises socio-economic development, strengthens women’s participation in the economy, and promotes collaboration to prevent gender-based violence and femicide.
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Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says the commemoration of Women’s Day is a significant reflection since the historic march in Pretoria in 1956. It also closes the existing gaps and paves the way to realise their dreams.
Chikunga says, “We are here to celebrate this day, which is important for women, but to also take time to reflect on the journey that we have traveled as women from 1956 to where we are today. Sixty-nine years later, and to look at what we have achieved as women, where there are gaps, and what should be the way forward in order for women to achieve exactly what those women in 1969 marched for, to the Union Building. Amongst the things that they were matching for were dignity, human rights, and safety for women.”
Calls to empower women economically and step up the fight against gender-based violence took centre stage in Limpopo.
A female taxi driver from Nkowankowa township outside Tzaneen says women should never limit themselves by being selective in job opportunities.
A widow for eleven years, Conny Ngobeni, has been working in the male-dominated taxi industry to provide for her family. Speaking to the SABC News on the sidelines of the national Women’s Day occasion at Nkowankowa stadium, Ngobeni says her journey proves that women are capable of thriving in any profession.
In the Western Cape, the efforts of women from communities across Cape Town have been lauded at an event marking Women’s Day at the Castle of Good Hope in the Mother City.
The women represented various initiatives, including feeding schemes and programmes for children in disadvantaged communities.
The Castle Control Board says these women’s organisations face many challenges and obstacles, and it aims to use this opportunity for women to come together to celebrate their achievements, despite the odds.
Pink Women’s 5K fun run
At the King’s Beach in Gqeberha, hundreds of women took part in the Pretty in Pink Women’s 5K fun run, turning the beach pink.
Hosted by various businesses and non-profit organisations in Nelson Mandela Bay, the annual event honours the spirit of Women’s Day while promoting health, unity, and empowerment.
Proceeds from the race benefit two organisations, the Pink Drive for early cancer detection, and a female mentorship organisation – Vision4 Women.
Young women
In Gauteng, Premier Panyaza Lesufi says that young women must be nurtured and supported in order to take on leadership roles in various industrial sectors. He emphasises that for young women to secure a promising future, the government must play its part by funding women-led businesses.
“Of our R170 billion budget, one third must go to women-owned businesses.”
Lesufi condemns the ill-treatment and abuse of children – this, as an Eldorado Park couple was arrested and appeared in court after their 4-year-old daughter died of her injuries suffered as a result of repeated assaults and abuse.
GBV
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has called for urgent advocacy against South Africa’s gender-based violence and femicide crisis.
Kubayi says her department has examined the models and infrastructures of police stations and magistrates’ courts with the goal of prioritising GBV and related cases.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba says women must be economically liberated so that they can be independent and stop being afraid to report GBV cases against their partners, who are often the sole breadwinners.
Dr Ramathuba says it is concerning that some women are unable to break free from abusive relationships due to economic bondage.
“Many women are staying in abusive marriages. It’s not like they don’t want to leave. Now we are saying, Mr President, if we build a resilient economy for all, that is inclusive, starting with black women, because the face of poverty is a black woman. We need to start there, empower our women.”
Premier Ramathuba also raised concerns about the scourge of gender-based violence in the province.
“We will work together with you, Mister President, lead us into liberating our women. Our women are in pain, in Limpopo in some areas, a girl child has got four times the chances of being raped in a lifetime than graduating. That is not on. That is not what Lillian Ngoyi marched for. That is not what the 1956 class fought for.”
Men are also encouraged to stand against gender-based violence and femicide, to create a prosperous South Africa.
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