HAPPY WOMEN – A HAPPY SOUTH AFRICA!
Women’s Voices, Women’s Power, Our Nation’s Strength
By Ga-Rankuwa Mail Reporter
It is time to Honour, Reflect, and Empower
Just as the Women’s Month unfolds, The Ga-Rankuwa Mail will feature powerful stories of local women making a difference, proving that true power lies in everyday acts of courage, care, and community.
Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, a renowned politician with a proven history, has shared her views about the month dedicated to Imbokodo (women power).
She wrote: “As we kickstart Women’s Month, I joined a diverse group of women for a breakfast dialogue hosted by the SA Association of Public Administration and Management and the Public Service Sector, Education and Training Authority (SETA).
“This event is hosted to create a platform for dialogue and empowerment of women in the public service. The equality and empowerment of women and girls should be the foundation of a society that promotes gender equality.
“While over the years we’ve seen an increase in women’s representation in public service, this representation must be increased. A public service that is not inclusive cannot be transformative, and it cannot claim to serve the people.”
August marks Women’s Month in South Africa — a deeply significant time that commemorates the bravery and defiance of the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against the oppressive pass laws.
Nearly 70 years later, the spirit of that historic moment continues to resonate as the country faces both progress and persistent challenges in the struggle for women’s equality.
The month is celebrated best on 9 August 2025 when all bodies of government gather for events, even sports events organised all over the country, mainly featuring women in soccer, netball, tennis, basketball, and indigenous games.
The 2025 theme, officially unveiled by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, focuses on empowering women’s voices in leadership, economic growth, and community safety.
The government, civil society, and grassroots organisations are using this month to shine a spotlight on the urgent need to uplift women — not just symbolically, but in practical, everyday ways.
“We cannot celebrate Women’s Month in boardrooms alone. We must take it to the streets, to rural areas, to townships — to every space where women are still unheard,” said government.
For many South Africans, especially women in underserved communities like Ga-Rankuwa, Hebron, Mmakau, Moshate Gardens, Soshanguve, Erasmus, Mothutlung, Ramogodi, Mmakau, and Hammanskraal, Women’s Month is more than just a calendar event — it’s a reminder of the work still to be done.
- Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a national crisis, with over 150 cases reported daily according to SAPS 2025 statistics.
- Economic inequality continues, with women — particularly black women — facing higher unemployment and lower wages.
- Political representation has improved, but many argue it’s still not enough without meaningful power shifts.
“Being a woman in South Africa means living with resilience. We carry households, communities, and this economy, yet we’re still fighting to be safe and respected,” said a prominent community in Ga-Rankuwa Zone 4.
Across the country, various initiatives are being rolled out to recognise the women who lead in silence — caregivers, nurses, informal traders, teachers, domestic workers, and community activists.
In Ga-Rankuwa, local organisations are hosting:
A powerful part of this year’s Women’s Month is the spotlight on young women leading change — from tech entrepreneurs to climate activists and university leaders.
Whether it’s through policies, programmes, or community-level support, The Ga-Rankuwa Mail is deeply concerned about the lack of respect for women, and the bashing of ladies by their boyfriends is an act that needs to be condemned.
However, South Africans are urged to play their part in building a society where every woman can walk freely, earn fairly, lead boldly, and live safely.
