DATE: THURSDAY, 13 AUGUST 2026: KIMBERLY, SOL PLAATJIE UNIVERSITY
THEME: “WATHINT’ABAFAZI WATHINT’IMBOKODO:
70 YEARS OF RESISTANCE, 72 YEARS OF VISION – ADVANCING GENDER JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND RESILIENT ECONOMIES FOR ALL.”
Programme Co-Directors, Hon Frolick and Hon Govender
Chief Justice, Justice Maya
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Chikunga
Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Saul
Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise
Speaker of the Northern Cape Legislature, Hon Klaaste
Executive Mayor of Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, Cllr Bartlett
Members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures
Members of the National and Provincial Executives
Members of the Judiciary
Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Fora
Distinguished Officials of Parliament
Women and Girls of South Africa
Friends, Esteemed Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Distinguished Guests, it is my utmost pleasure and honour to join the distinguished women and girls from all walks of life in our motherland and beyond at this Women's Parliament. As mentioned by several speakers before me, this year’s theme is “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo: 70 Years of Resistance, 72 Years of Vision – Advancing Gender Justice, Equality and Resilient Economies for All”
The phrase Wathint’ Abafazi Wathint’ Imbokodo is traditionally associated with the 1956 Women's March against oppressive laws and unresponsive government. Politically, the slogan signifies women’s unbreakable strength, fortitude and the ability to withstand immense pressure without crumbling.
Culturally, it represents resilience; it is a symbol of household survival, because imbokodo was a traditional tool used to grind maize and sorghum.
Selecting the theme of Wathint’ Abafazi Wathint’ Imbokodo is a direct clarion call to women to dip into their fountain of courage and resilience to champion solutions needed to tackle the societal challenges we face today. It is a theme encouraging all of us to celebrate the achievements of women as they continue to shape our society, strengthen our institutions, draft and interpret our laws and promote the shared future we all want.
Program Co-Directors, noting the gravitas of the theme, it is clear that Women’s Parliament presents a strategic national platform to consolidate, harness and accelerate South Africa’s progressive and crucial agenda of Gender Equality and Justice within a constitutional and developmental framework, and within the commemoration of the 30 years of democracy and constitutional governance.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with deep appreciation that this Women’s Parliament is hosted in Kimberley. This is the same town that witnessed thousands of mine workers 70 years ago, mobilised and led by Francis Baard and others, who protested against the ill-treatment of workers. Mama Francis was later charged with treason for her active role in the resistance against apartheid and her mobilisation of women in the struggle.
It is the courage of these women and many South Africans with their friends in the diaspora, who fought hard for equality and justice in our society. We stand here today proud of the Equality Clause contained in our Constitution, which guarantees equal protection of law and prohibits unfair discrimination on the grounds of race, gender and other aspects of life.
Programme Director, the inclusion of the equality clause was not just symbolic in South Africa’s Constitution, but it was a sacrosanct commitment that meant we needed to reform our laws and practices and entrench this principle in our government programmes and priorities.
The fruits of the equality clause are reflected in women's participation in politics, judiciary, business, academia, and in leadership positions.
REFLECTIONS ON GENDER EQUALITY:
Ubani owayazi ukuthi one day we would have women heading the two arms of the state in our country?
Ubani owayazi ukuthi one day we would have 43% of lawmakers being women in Parliament?
Ubani owayazi ukuthi one day we would have 45% of cabinet members being women, leading critical portfolios such as small business, defence, transport, employment, social security, constitutional development, water and sanitation, the presidency and many others?
Women are also leading many of our constitutional bodies, such as the Auditor General, Public Protector and the Commission of Gender Equality. Even our National Youth Development Agency is headed by a woman.
Ubani owayazi ukuthi one day we would have about 12% of top CEOs in major Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed firms being women.
Underscoring these achievements is the strength and agility of our state institutions such as Parliament, the Courts and other state departments and entities. Women in provincial legislatures and Parliament, working with their male counterparts, have ensured that the laws of the country address the gender disparities and equality divide in our society. As we deliberate on various topics in this Parliament, we must enhance our efforts to empower women of this generation and lay a foundation for the next generation.
I am happy that the members of the diplomatic corps are present today. South African women, as they did in the development of the Plan of Action adopted in the Beijing Charter in 1995, will continue to participate in global efforts to empower and protect women's and girls' rights. They will continue to strive for equal economic opportunities for women and support women taking leadership positions.
Programme Co-Directors, in celebrating women's achievements, we must also acknowledge the role of our judiciary in helping us to understand and uphold the Constitutional equality promise through their judgments. For example, the judgment that upheld the inheritance rights regardless of the gender or birth status of a child. Also, the judgment that affirmed the right of girls and women to succeed to traditional leadership positions remains one of many milestones we have achieved in closing the gender gap.
Also, behind the drive for gender justice are academics, who, through their pen and research, have enlightened us with empirical evidence on how to improve governance systems and the provision of public services. The academics have also helped us understand the socio-economic impact of the laws we make on society.
GENDER EQUALITY VISION:
Distinguished Guests, the journey of gender equality has been long, and we remain far from the desired destination. While efforts for early childhood development have expanded access to lifelong education for girls and young women, the rising level of unemployment is discouraging the youth from meaningful participation in the economy, thus reducing the pace of just inclusion for women.
In the thirty years of democracy, we have laid a foundation of strong state institutions representing the architecture of the country we wanted; however, weaknesses in good governance and ethical leadership remain a challenge, as witnessed from the undertakings at various Commissions and from the work of our own Ad-hoc Committees in Parliament.
The efforts of empowering young girls are starting to bear results when one examines the progress of women in business and in leadership positions; the boys we are raising are showing signs of regression. Empowering girls and young women should not leave the boy child behind, so that we can attain true gender justice and equality.
Drawing from the wisdom of women in the 1950s, who said, "Women shall walk side-by-side with their countrymen to build an equal society”. These values and principles must guide how we advance gender equality and justice in the future. We must be cognizant that no country can achieve its full economic and societal potential if one gender is left behind.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, as we celebrate Women's Month, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing gender equality, expanding economic opportunities for women and investing in the education and empowerment of girls. By removing barriers to women’s full participation, we unlock the potential for more inclusive growth, stronger communities and lasting prosperity, not only in our country but in our region and the continent.
Together, let us ensure that every woman has the equal opportunity not only to participate in society, but to lead it.
I wish you successful and engaging sessions ahead, and looking forward to innovative solutions to advancing gender justice, equality and resilient economies for all.
I thank you.
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