{
  "id": 3794822,
  "title": "The struggle may have changed, but work is far from over: De Bruyn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/the-struggle-may-have-changed-but-work-is-far-from-over-de-bruyn",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T18:36:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/the-struggle-may-have-changed-but-work-is-far-from-over/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seventy years after the 1956 Women’s March, Dr Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, the last living leader of that historic event, stresses that the struggle continues. Joined by thousands of women who took part in the march to the Union Buildings, Williams-De Bruyn’s legacy was celebrated by the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the South African Council of Churches. The commemorative event brought together both veterans of the struggle and a new generation poised to take up the torch.\n\nThe 1956 Women’s March marked a pivotal moment in South Africa’s fight against apartheid. At Unisa’s Tshwane campus, the theme for the event was “Passing the Baton: 70 Years of Courage, Collective Action and Herstory.” Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng Lenka Bula, highlighted the importance of the gathering, emphasizing the need for unity among women from various churches, student structures, political parties, and intellectual circles.\n\nFirst Vice President of the South African Council of Churches, Lulama Ntuta, echoed the sentiment that women continue to play a crucial role in ensuring justice and equality. She stated that while prayers remain essential, action is required to create environments where women feel heard, empowered, and appreciated. Williams-De Bruyn’s reflections on the responsibility of today’s youth were equally poignant. She urged young women and men to recognize that the future is in their hands. Despite the passage of time, modern challenges remain formidable, including poverty, gender-based violence, corruption, homelessness, joblessness, and the plight of street children. These pressing issues are the new adversaries against which the baton of the struggle must be wielded.\n\nThe commemoration underscored that honoring the women of 1956 transcends mere remembrance; it is about the actions of the next generation in upholding the freedom and rights they fought so hard to achieve.",
  "summary": "Her legacy was honoured by the University of South Africa and the South African Council of Churches.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dr Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, last living leader of 1956 Women’s March, stresses struggle continues",
    "Commemorative event at Unisa’s Tshwane campus highlights unity among women from various groups",
    "Young people urged to recognize future lies in their hands to uphold freedom and rights"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}