{
  "id": 346983,
  "title": "OPINION | Honouring the women who continue to shape South Africa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/opinion-honouring-the-women-who-continue-to-shape-south-africa",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T05:07:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/opinion-honouring-the-women-who-continue-to-shape-south-africa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seventy years ago, South African women demonstrated extraordinary courage by marching to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956. Over 20,000 women, led by figures like Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, protested against the extension of apartheid pass laws to African women. Their rallying cry, “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo,” signified that striking a woman strikes a rock, symbolizing the resilience and political power of South African women. While the march is remembered for its leaders, the true strength lay in the thousands of ordinary women who joined, including workers, mothers, students, and community organisers from diverse backgrounds. These women understood that unity and collective action were essential to achieve freedom. Their legacy persists, as today women lead in government, business, academia, civil society, sport, the arts, and more. In sport, South African athletes like Lara van Niekerk, Aimee Canny, and Danika Vyncke have won medals, broken records, and changed perceptions of South Africa on the global stage. In arts and culture, musicians like DJ duo TxC, Tyla, and artists DBN Gogo, Kamo Mphela, and Pabi Cooper are leading the way, introducing South African sounds to the world and reshaping perceptions of African womanhood. However, the achievements of these women must be accompanied by equal investment, fair remuneration, improved facilities, and greater media coverage. Ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls in sport, arts, and culture will create a lasting legacy of empowerment and inspire future generations.",
  "summary": "When women rise together, they do not only transform their own lives, writes Peace Mabe.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "OPINION: SA needs to play its role in Southern Africa’s development",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/opinion-sa-needs-to-play-its-role-in-southern-africas-development",
        "published": "2026-08-09T08:30:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}