WFWP South Africa celebrates National Women’s Day
Written by: Flory Ledwaba
South Africa’s National Women's Day, celebrated on August 9 each year, serves as an important reminder of the invaluable contributions that women make to society. The day commemorates the 1956 March of approximately 20,000 women to petition against the country's pass laws that required South Africans defined as "black" under the Population Registration Act to carry an internal passport, known as a passbook, that served to maintain population segregation, control urbanization and manage migrant labor during the apartheid era.
WFWP celebrated the day with 25 women with the theme: "Women as the Cornerstone for Nation Building," which resonates deeply with the imperative role that women play in shaping the destiny of nations. The event, organized by WFWP brought together everyday citizens to honor women's achievements, discuss challenges and underscore the need for continued progress toward working together in the moral education of the family.
Mrs. Nosipho Mositoane, leader of the WFWP Soweto chapter, gave a powerful and encouraging speech about the importance of uplifting women to foster the social, economic and spiritual development of the family.
The Women’s Day Address was delivered by the President of WFWP South Africa, Mrs. Gwen Tshimbana Mtiti. She acknowledged the strides that women have made since the 1956 Women’s March but emphasized the need for women to continue where the pioneers left off. She reiterated the importance of women standing together to fight social ills that are created by the government’s inability to serve the most vulnerable. This is also compounded by the breakdown of family structures and social cohesion. She encouraged the women present to concern themselves with the welfare of children in their communities while striving to care for their own. A healthy community guarantees a healthy family.
The Women's Day program, centered around the theme "Women as the Cornerstone for Nation Building," offered a platform to honor the contributions of women to society while acknowledging the challenges that persist. It served as a reminder that women's empowerment is not just a matter of gender equity but a fundamental necessity for the progress and prosperity of nations. As attendees departed, they carried with them a renewed sense of purpose and determination to continue the journey toward a more equitable and just world advocated by WFWP founders: Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and her late husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon.
