Pretoria, 09 August 2024 - Today, South Africa celebrates National Women's Day in honour of the thousands of women who marched on the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against laws that required black people to carry a special 'pass' or identity card that proved they could enter an area reserved for white people.
This was one of the key laws of the apartheid regime and severely restricted black people's freedom of movement, so the women launched a powerful campaign to have it repealed. They collected more than 100,000 signatures and protested outside government offices in clear opposition to those regulations.
The day was established in 1994, after the victory over apartheid, and has been celebrated every year since.
9 August represents the courage and heroism of South African women who decided to step forward and build a better country for themselves and future generations. This great milestone deserves all our respect and admiration.
(Cuban Embassy in South Africa)