National Women’s Day in South Africa

August is the month that celebrates Women’s Day in South Africa. But how did the story start? During apartheid South Africa was divided into mainland South Africa and

ethnic-based ‘separate states’ with relative autonomy for black South Africans who were located there

Even in mainland South Africa, South Africans were confined to specific areas based on race. Black people were

expected to carry permits or passes when they were in mainland South Africa.

Initially black women did not require passes as they were expected to work as domestic workers in white homes.

However the laws were being amended to include black women too

On the 9th of August 1956, more than twenty thousand women of all races marched to the presidential palace, which is now called

The Union Buildings in Pretoria  to protest against pass laws – hence this day is called National Women’s Day.They marched peacefully and with grace-many carried babies on their backs or in their arms-the children of their white employers.Even out protesting against those very same white employers these women were too honourable to leave their charges unattended and so brought them along.

Reneva Fourie, public policy analyst residing in Damascus commented, saying,”we know too well the humiliation of having our movements restricted in the country of our birth and the threat of being aggressively arrested in an area without a permit or pass-exactly the same situation as is happening and has always happened in Palestine .”

Reem Haddad

Editor – in – Chief