North West Premier Thandi Modise says her province will stop at nothing to ensure that women in the province are equitably treated and are not marginalised or violated in any way.
“As part of our endeavour in honouring the gallant women who marched on the union building to protest against pass laws, we want to ensure that our women who suffered the triple oppression of race, class and gender under apartheid receive the respect they deserve,” said Premier Modise in her women’s day commemoration message.
As part of the commemoration Premier Modise will in the evening bestow an award on African National Congress (ANC) stalwart Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati at a gala dinner hosted by Black Management Forum- North West.
Dr Mompati was one of the leaders of more than 20 000 women of all races who marched on the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956 to protest against the pass laws that restricted them.
Under the banner “Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo -You struck a woman, you struck a rock, Mama Mompati joined other courageous women of country such as Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophy Williams and Lilian Ngoyi to deliver a memorandum demanding that the pass law be scraped.
Modise said that women should be inspired by the courage and strength of Mama Mompati’s generation to stand up for what they believe is right.
“The ANC government is resolute in its commitment to restore, protect and entrench the rights of women. We want to ensure that women are respected and treated as equals. We are determined to ensure that they are not marginalised, demeaned, abused or violated in any way,” she underscored.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
