South Africa commemorates National Women’s Day on 9 August 2026, marking the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March. On 9 August 1956, more than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the extension of apartheid-era pass laws and the Urban Areas Act, which restricted the movement of Black South Africans.
The march was led by notable anti-apartheid activists including Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn. Their powerful chant, “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo” (“You strike a woman, you strike a rock”), became a lasting symbol of women’s strength, courage, and resistance.
The 2026 commemoration will be held under the theme “Empowered Women Empower The Nation” and forms part of the broader Milestones of Freedom Campaign, themed “Honouring the past, delivering the future.” National Women’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1994 and serves as a reminder of women’s contributions to society, the struggle for equality, and the ongoing importance of gender justice and empowerment.
We salute the strength and tenacity of our women.
Nari Shakti
