National Women's Day is a celebrated holiday in South Africa that falls annually on the 9th of August. This national holiday commemorates a significant part of South African history when on the 9th of August in 1956, around 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act, commonly known as the 'pass laws'. This piece of legislation aimed to maintain population segregation and control urbanisation by black Africans in South Africa during the era of apartheid.
This historical protest was uniquely led by women, expressing their courage and strength. The women left petitions containing more than 100,000 signatures at prime minister J.G. Strijdom's office doors. They stood silently for 30 minutes; then started singing a protest song that was composed in honor of the occasion, ‘Wathint'Abafazi Wathint'imbokodo!' which means 'Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock'.
In contemporary South Africa, this day has come to represent a celebration of the powerful role that women of all races and religions played and continue to play in South African society. It is used to raise awareness about issues such as domestic violence and gender equity, as well as to honor the heroines of South African history. Many activities such as concerts, festivals, and exhibitions are organized throughout the country to engage people in the importance of this day.