Women ‘need to step up’
We need to empower ourselves, say duo who took part in anti-pass march of 1956
TWO ANTI- APARTHEID activists who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 have told local women to “step up and assist in empowering themselves” during an International Women’s Day commemoration ceremony in Joe Slovo near Milnerton.
Mildred Ramakaba-Lesiea, 83, and Amy Thornton, 84, were among the guests invited to the official ceremony at Marconi Beam Primary School yesterday.
The two were instrumental in organising the historic mass march on August 9, where more than 20 000 women demanded to hand over a petition against the carrying of pass books by women, to prime minister Johannes Strijdom.
An impassioned Ramakaba-Lesiea told the crowd: “What we fought for so many years ago, we need to claim it back and defend the nation – especially women and children. It’s not the work of the government only, all of us need to participate.”
The ceremony formed part of the UN’s gender equality celebrations.
The theme for this year’s commemoration was “Planet 50/50 by 2030: Step it up for gender equality”. The aim was to celebrate women who endeavour to build institutions and processes that promote and protect democracy and human rights, with the main focus on women’s rights and the protection of children.
Women in the community, including Phumeza Ngqondele, 43, were praised for their selfless service during a walkabout in the suburb before the ceremony.
Owner of Mangaliso Home, Ngqondele is “mother” to seven foster children, who are between the ages of two and 18 .
“I love them like my own. Most of them are abandoned but other children cannot be looked after by their mothers due to drugs and other social issues,” she said.
“I bathe them and prepare them for school. I work alone and do not have help.
“They are my children and I become sad when they are old enough to leave.”
Despite income from government foster grants, she says she has to pay for other expenses out of her own pocket.
Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Zou Kota-Fredericks and Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Nomaindia Mfeketo donated R50 000 each to four schools in the community – mostly with women principals in aid of much needed school uniforms.
These included Sunningdale Primary, Marconi Beam Primary, West Riding Primary and Sophakama Primary School.
Meeghan Coetzee, West Riding Primary’s principal said: “It means so much to be given this donation on such an important occasion.
“At our parent-teaching meetings I only see single mothers and it’s indicative of our strength and dedication not only to our children but our communities too.”