It is now 70 years since women marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 to demand the abolishment of apartheid laws. The march became a major turning point in the country's history. Since 1994 The date is observed as an annual commemoration to honour the bravery of women stalwards such as Lillian Ngoyi and De Bruyn. To mark this monumental day, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government hosted this year's commemoration at Agincourt, in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.
Apart from Members of the Executive Council who attended the commemoration, Executive Mayors, Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena, community structures and community members, were in attendance.
MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, Ms Leah Mabuza delivered a keynote address in which she affirmed government’s commitment to empower women in an endeavor to carry the legacy of the struggle stalwarts forward. She told the gathering about the 40 percent of budget allocations, which must be spent through the procurement of goods and services from women enterprises. Mabuza explained that all Provincial Departments are being monitored for compliance. In addition, departments are also monitored to determine if women are appointed into Senior Management positions.
In his address, Kgoshi Mokoena reaffirmed traditional leadership's commitment to the upliftment of women in rural communities, and support against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
Under the theme "Empowered Women, Empower Nations," this year's commemoration is a reminder that the progress of any society is measured by the dignity, safety, and opportunity afforded to women. Earlier, MEC Mabuza led an entourage of MECs and Executive Mayors in a tour of exhibition stalls. The stalls provided communities with information to access government services and empowerment programmes such as the Premier’s Youth Development Fund, which assist the youth to establish their business enterprises, and create job opportunities. Several women-led households received start-up packs for backyard gardens, while some beneficiaries received kitchen utilities to establish their own businesses.