August marks a very special time for us – It is women’s month. A month where we celebrate the incredible women in our lives as well as those who have made an enormous contribution to our country and society.
“Wathinta abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo.”
“When you strike a woman, you strike a rock.”
On the 9th of August 1956, more than 20,000 women of all races marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the pass laws, which proposed more restrictions on the movement of women. The monumental march was led by four extraordinary women who delivered petitions to Prime Minister JG Strijdom’s office at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. These brave women were Sophie Williams, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Lilian Ngoyi. Countless women throughout South Africa used these petitions to express their anger and frustration about the restrictions set forth by the official pass on their freedom of movement.
Today, we commemorate these brave women who risked arrest and their lives for the rights of every single woman in South Africa.
This month, we recognise the women who are not afraid to be different or push boundaries. The women who are ground shakers, who take risks and are not defined by their fears or the judgements of others.
Let us all take a moment to give thanks to our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. The women in our lives who love unconditionally, nurture us and make a difference in society.
Selecta would like to wish all the extraordinary women from our team and across the country a very happy Women’s Day! Thank you for being you!
“It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.”
– Maya Angelou
