President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the national Women’s Day commemorative event today, 9 August 2026, in Galeshewe, Kimberley. The event marks the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 march, where approximately 20,000 women protested against the apartheid-era pass laws at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Reflecting On Progress And Persistence
This year’s commemoration is held under the theme, ‘Celebrating 70 Years of the 1956 Women’s March: Towards Women’s Socio-Economic Justice and Equality’. According to a media statement from the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the gathering serves as a critical platform to assess the current state of gender equality in the country.
The 2026 commemoration serves as a platform to reflect on the progress made in advancing women’s rights and to address the persistent challenges of gender-based violence and economic inequality.
Community Impact And Significance
The decision to host the national proceedings in the Northern Cape aligns with efforts to engage communities beyond major metropolitan centres like Cape Town. Local organisers in Galeshewe have been preparing for the event throughout the week, aiming to highlight regional struggles alongside national policy goals. The presidency confirmed that the address will focus on the government’s ongoing mandate to dismantle systemic barriers to economic participation for women. We will continue to monitor the proceedings in Kimberley and provide updates as the President concludes his address.