On 9 August every year the people of South Africa celebrate national Women’s Day. In fact the entire month of August is regarded as Women’s Month where we commemorate the sacrifices, efforts and commitment of women in this country. This commemorates the national march of women on 9 August 1956 to petition against legislation that required African persons to carry the “pass” [special identification documents] which curtailed an African’s freedom of movement during the apartheid era. On 9 August 1956, 20 000 women staged a march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act (commonly known as the pass laws) of 1950. They left bundles of petitions containing more than 100 000 signatures at Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom’s office doors. Outside they stood silently for 30 minutes, many with their children on their backs. Those who were working for Whites as nannies were carrying their white charges with them. The women sang a protest song that was composed in honor of the occasion: Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo! (Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock.). In the 54 years since, the phrase (or its latest incarnation: “you strike a woman, you strike a rock“) has come to represent women’s courage and strength in South Africa.

So in keeping with the commemoration of Women’s Day we at Path Out of Poverty also joined in by hosting our own event for women on the day. We invited 40 women from farms around Goedgedacht to a day of pampering and beauty. We were very fortunate to have two schools from Wales (Brynteg Comprehensive School and Bishop Gore School) for the week on the farm where they were on a Cultural Exchange experience with the African children. What a week we had together, but more on that in a next post. We however took the opportunity to have the learners from Brynteg, Bishop Gore and our Tiener Aksie (Teenage Action) youth group pamper and wait on the 40 women for the day. What an incredible day we had together!

Ms. Sarah Jarrett, who is a Home Economic Teacher at one of the schools proved her excellent cooking abilities by dishing up a three course meal with the help of three of the students. A beauty salon was on site where the 40 women were given a full spa treatment which included hair and make-up. Six of the boys were waiters for the event and they were absolutely exceptional. These 40 women had a most enjoyable time and for that we want to thank everyone who made this day possible.

• The COOP (Cycle Out Of Poverty) ladies from Cape Town for the donations of gift packs.
• The teachers and students from Bishop Gore and Brynteg for their generous support and great performance.
• Rev. Elsabe Booyse our main speaker for the wonderful message encouraging women to “get back to basics”.
• Tiener Aksie youth for their hard work and beautiful performance.

Please go to our contact section if you are inspired to make a contribution towards the Path Out of Poverty Programme.

Talk to you soon.
Jeremy Maarman (Programme Coordinator)