President Ramaphosa to address the 2018 National Women’s Day Event

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the National Women’s Day Event on Thursday, 9 August 2018‚ which will be commemorated at Mbekweni, Paarl, in the Western Cape under the theme: “100 Years of Albertina Sisulu, Woman of Fortitude: Women   United in Moving South Africa Forward”.

August 9 is recognised as a National Public Holiday and the month of August as Women’s Month in South Africa, to commemorate the 1956 march to the Union Buildings by more than 20 000 women who resisted the extension of pass laws to African women. 

This year’s commemoration is of special significance as 2018 marks the centenaries of globally recognised Struggle icons Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu. This year also marks the centenary of the formation of the Bantu Women’s League. 

As part of advancing the empowerment of women and pursuing the defeat of patriarchy, Government regards Women’s Day as an opportunity to pay tribute to the many heroines of the women’s struggle and to also review progress made in addressing gender disparities. 

On Women’s Day, President Ramaphosa will have tea with elderly women including Mama Sophia De Bruyn – a veteran of the Women’s March of 1956 - Mama Magdeline Martins who will receive a certificate honouring her own 100th birthday.

The President will then proceed to the formal programme of the day. 

Details are as follows: 

Date: 09 August 2018 

Tea with Elderly Women

Time: 10:00
Venue: Mbekweni Youth Multi-Purpose Centre 

Formal Programme

Time: 11:00
Venue: Mbekweni Rugby Stadium

Media covering the event have been requested to submit their details by 30 July 2018. To follow up on your accreditation, please call Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566 or Nangamso Gxaba on 072 321 6355


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President, on 072 854 5707.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria