On August 9, 1956 South African women took to the streets of Pretoria in protest of pass laws.
They came from all corners of South Africa in buses, trains, cars and even bakkies. It took some of them more than two days to get there but they were determined to take part. The reason? To deliver a petition against the use of passes.
Pass laws required all non-white men and women to carry a pass book to prove that they were allowed to enter certain areas in South Africa, including the cities.
When they reached the Union Buildings the women handed over a petition, indicating their anger and frustration at having to carry passes and having their movements restricted.
On 9 August every year, South Africans commemorate National Women's Day, in honour of those brave and fearless women. As Standard Bank Group we have decided to take time to say halala to the women of 1956.
They took a stand against the ugly apartheid regime and made their voices heard. A lot has changed since then, women are now treated as intellectual equals and hold high positions in society but there is still a long way to go.
Standard Bank Group salutes all the brave women who took to the streets of Pretoria; they paved a way for many women in South Africa.
So this Women’s Day think of the women in your life and the role they play. Appreciate them, not only this month but make it an everyday thing.
Malibongwe igama lamaKhosikazi
Happy National Women’s Day!
