Buoyed by their numbers and the spirit of resistance, they sang in Nguni language: ‘Wee, Strydom , you have touched the women, you have touched a rock, you’ll perish…!’ Though the petition was specifically against the imposition of passes on African women, previously the albatross on African males’ necks, the big protest march was all-encompassing in as far as discrimination and oppression of all women was concerned. Since the 1994 democratic revolution in RSA, changes by the government of the day, particularly to address women’s inequality with men in all spheres of life, are discernable. Women hold positions of influence and power in politics, business, management and sport.
The efforts of the SA liberation movement and current government has been to inspire the rest of the continent so that Africa marches in step; much remains to be done to end the multiple abuses women are heirs to. Women are still subjected to bashing, murder, rape and more . Admittedly, positive changes occurring in women’s favour, are few and far between, and virtually a slow trickle, to be appreciated.
