QUICK HISTORY LESSON: On this day, 58 years ago, South African women took a risk that paved the way for the future. The Federation of South African Women (led by Helen Joseph, Lillian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa & Sophy Williams) organized one of the biggest demonstrations in South Africa. TWENTY THOUSAND women marched to the Union Buildings to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women. Then Prime Strijdom was not at the Union Buildings, but that didn’t stop them. They sent a public message that they would not be intimidated and silenced by unjust laws. They left the petition at the Prime Minister’s office and then sang THE FREEDOM SONG “Wathint’abafazi Strijdom!” which has since been changed to “Wathint’abafazi, wathint’imbokodo” meaning “You strike a woman, you strike a rock”. This phrase represents the courage and strength of South African women.
P.S. THE FIRST NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WAS ONLY CELEBRATED IN 1995. #WomensDay #SouthAfrica #History #LillianNgoyi #HelenJoseph #RahimMoosa #SophyWilliams #KnowYourHistory #KnowYourCountry