Ladies, it’s your month and you deserve to be pampered. Don’t you think? Well, let’s get the ball rolling. And of course, all things panache should come your way. Let me make one thing clear, crystal clear. This is not a chauvinistic piece, but it is more of calling a spade a spade. You be the judge (I’m sure you are more experienced than Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng).
I would like to believe that the 20 000 women (including those who have passed on) who on Thursday 09August 1956, took to the Union Buildings to demand an end to apartheid injustice must be really aggrieved by what is happening with today’s women. These women of vigour and courage included the likes of a woman, who was coined the grandmother of the nation, the late Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu, who was married to the late ANC stalwart, Walter Sisulu, who was born in a multi racial set- up. His father, Victor Dickinson, was a white magistrate in the apartheid regime. He, however, vanished into thin air and left Walter’s mom, a woman from Engcobo District to fend for her two kids. Also in the midst were Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophie Die Bruin and other loads more. Some political pundits say that the women’s heroics were an impetus to the political change we see in our country today.
On 09August 2011, radio 702 had a debate on the significance of Women’s Day. Students from various high schools gave their thoughts on the issue, but there was one comment that caught my attention. A young lad from a school in Gauteng (whose name I have since forgotten) said that women of 1956 did not fight for material freedom, which seems to have subjugated the crop of today. I know this statement will ruffle a few feathers, but the truth needs to be told and candidly so.
Today’s women are so obsessed with the idea of equality and materialism that they have forgotten the real meaning of womanhood. It is true that back then, even today, women are (were) treated with disdain. However, that does not mean that they should reciprocate the treatment they endured for so long. Women are pugilists as witnessed in 1956, but they do not have to prove so hard to their male counterparts that they can be as strong as they are. I am highly convinced that if they could channel their strength to something that would benefit everybody, like being women of noble characters, both morally and otherwise, the Republic of South Africa could be a better country for all who live in it as enshrined in the constitution.
Ladies, womanhood is not only about acquiring material things, which perish. It is also about acquiring that which money cannot buy – moral values. Remember, there are females and women. Choose ye this day which of these you are.