6 August 2007
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Commencing at 10h30: Keynote address by Premier Ndebele at the Provincial
Women's Day celebrations at Kwasigwegwede, Vryheid
August is Women's month. In addition to commemorating Izintombi zeNgcugce,
the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government will also celebrate some of Africa's
heroic women. This will be done by paying tribute to the life of our own
Princess Mkabayi ka Jama, sister to King Senzangakhona, who was Shaka's father.
For decades Princess Mkabayi was the power behind the throne during the reign
of successive Zulu Kings including King Shaka. Today she is buried in Vryheid
at KwaSgwegwede here in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mkabayi also ranks alongside Yaa Asantewa, the Asante Queen Mother, who
galvanised the Asante of Ghana by leading a revolt against the British in the
1900s. In recognition of Mkabayi's singular importance the government of
KwaZulu-Natal is looking at establishing a Heritage site around the life and
death of this remarkable individual.
The theme for the 2007 Women's Day is 'Emancipation, Empowerment, Equality
and Eradication of Poverty Now!' The theme acknowledges that while significant
progress has been achieved in the advancement and empowerment of women, we
still face a number of challenges when it comes to gender equality.
For more information, please contact:
Logan Maistry
Premier's Spokesperson
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
6 August 2007
