Reflecting on Women’s Day: Insights from South Africa’s leading women

As South Africa prepares to mark Women’s Day, several of the country’s most prominent women leaders have reflected on the hard-won progress of women’s rights — and the long road still ahead.

Women’s Day, observed annually on August 9, commemorates the historic 1956 march when approximately 20,000 women gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the apartheid regime’s pass laws, which restricted the movement of Black South Africans.

The protest was led by iconic activists Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, Lilian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa, and Helen Joseph.

In honour of their efforts, National Women’s Day celebrations were instituted in 1994 and now take place annually.

Since then, not only is Women’s Day used to commemorate their efforts, but it also allows South Africa to take stock of its progress and failures in not only ensuring gender equality, but also the high levels of femicide and gender-based violence that occur in the country.

Several women leaders share what their achievements mean to them in light of Women’s Day, but also their challenges, who inspire them, and their hopes for the future.

Build One South Africa (BOSA) MP, Deputy Leader and Co-founder, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, said that Women’s Day is deeply significant to her because it honours women who, despite having far fewer rights, resources, or recognition, were daring enough to confront an unjust system.

“The women of 1956 were not just protesting the pass laws. They were fighting for the right to live with their families for economic freedom and for the dignity of movement in a country that treated them as second-class citizens.

“Their march was not just about the pass laws. It was a cry for wholeness. Those women were resisting a system that separated mothers from children, denied them full participation in the economy, and criminalised their very existence.”

City of Cape Town Speaker, Felicity Purchase, said Women’s Day is a reminder of the grit and determination of women who stood up when it was difficult and dangerous to do so.

“It’s not just a day of celebration — it’s a call to action. The work isn’t done. As a woman in leadership, my focus has always been to open doors, not just for symbolic representation, but for capable women who are ready to lead and deliver. I continue the legacy by ensuring that we don’t just talk about equality — we show it in how we govern, who we appoint, and the standards we hold ourselves to.”

Economic Freedom Fighters National Chairperson and Chief Whip in Parliament, Nontando Nolutshungu, said Women’s Day is also a day to reflect on how far the country has come and how much work remains.

“In 2025, the lived reality of many women still reflects deep inequality, poverty, and vulnerability. Gender-based violence remains widespread, and many women continue to face economic exclusion, poor access to healthcare, and limited opportunities.

“Even with these challenges, women continue to lead and shape society. We see them building communities, running businesses, holding families together, and leading in political spaces.”

Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza highlighted that this year's Women’s Day marks 30 years of the UN Conference on Women, known as the “Beijing Conference”.

The conference came up with 12 critical areas of concern, which were and still are, poverty, education and training of women, health, violence against women, armed conflict, women and the economy, women in power and decision-making, human rights of women, women and the media, the environment, the girl child and institutional mechanisms.

“Women have always been part of societal struggles in several countries, be it liberation struggles, environmental struggles, etc. However, their role in decision-making and the exercise of power to build communities and resolve societal challenges has been underplayed nor acknowledged.

“This, from the women’s perspective, has robbed our society of the potential to advance development. As we celebrate 30 years, we need to take stock of how far countries have gone in ensuring that the status of women has changed for the better in our countries and globally,” she said.

Didiza said that South Africa is fortunate to have a number of the aforementioned concerns raised in the Women’s Charter for Effective Equality that was tabled in the first democratic Parliament.

“Today, South Africa has institutions that support democracy and ensure that women and gender issues are addressed by the government and the whole of society. We have the Gender Commission, we had the Office of the Status of Women that was located at the apex of government, and now, we have a Women’s Ministry.”

Hlazo-Webster said that she is most inspired by the women in her lineage, such as her grandmother and mother, whose courage shaped who she is.

“My grandmother was a single woman raising three daughters in Nqutu, rural KwaZulu-Natal, at a time when being unmarried with children carried deep stigma. Despite that, she worked as a domestic worker in Durban and sent money home to build a future for her daughters. She endured hardship with dignity and quietly defied societal norms to ensure her family survived.

“My mother was born into that reality of poverty and patriarchy, and yet she rose to become a leader in her field and society, to this day. She was told girls didn’t need education beyond learning how to write to their husbands. But she pushed through, completed matric and earned a Master’s degree despite being raised in a home that didn’t believe in educating daughters. Her life is proof that strength is not about loudness. It is about perseverance and purpose.”

Hlazo-Webster added that beyond her family, she is inspired by women she has seen lead up close, like Hannah Sadiki, the Group CEO of Bidvest Financial Services, and admires Patricia de Lille, the only female party leader currently in the National Assembly.

“In a country where we often celebrate the number of women in Parliament, we must also ask how many women are leading political parties. Very few. I know what it takes to lead in this environment. I am currently the only woman deputy leader of a party in the National Assembly. I honour women like Patricia for their staying power and their ability to lead through seasons of difficulty and change.”

Nolutshungu said: “Women who remain committed to justice under difficult conditions continue to be a source of inspiration. These include women who organise in informal settlements, raise children in harsh conditions, challenge systems in workplaces, or support their families through informal trade.

“All of them contribute to the strength of our society.
Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela stands out as one of the most fearless women this country has produced. Her role in the liberation struggle and her refusal to be silenced continue to inspire generations.


“There are also women like Mam’Silinga and Maphila from KwaLanga who never carried a dompas under apartheid. They refused to accept state benefits that came with oppression. Their choices were not easy, but they were principled and showed what real defiance looks like.”

Purchase added that she has always admired leaders who combine courage with results.

“Helen Suzman stands out — she was principled, consistent, and didn’t back down, even when she was the only voice in the room. But inspiration doesn’t only come from high-profile figures. I’ve worked alongside countless women in local government and community organisations who carry entire neighbourhoods on their shoulders — often with limited support and no recognition.”

Ultimately, Didiza said that she believes strengthening the women’s movement is critical because it will continue to advocate for the attainment of these commitments that were made.

“For us as women, it is important to continue the struggle for the emancipation of all women in our society and globally and therefore solidarity with others remains important.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za