Women’s Day festivities kicked off with a bang in the city when ladies made their voices heard.
A small group of mothers, sisters and grannies met on the corner of Wale and Adderley Street yesterday morning to remind mense about the significance of Women’s Day.
One of the organisers, Ntombekhaya Plaat, says they had been tasked by the City to gather up women from different communities to take part in yesterday’s activities.
“We work with women from Gugulethu and Philippi, who are often abused, and we try and get them into community-based programmes where they receive training,” she says.
“Today we are here to celebrate the long journeys these women have travelled to get to where they are today.”
The group of about 100 women then walked to Artscape Theatre on the Foreshore where they took part in the 10th Artscape Women’s Humanity Festival.
JOYOUS: Young and old took part in Women’s Day celebrations
It was part of the events to commemorate national Women’s Day, and celebrate the role of all women and how far we’ve come since South African women first marched for freedom 60 years ago.
More than 300 women were invited to spend the day at the theatre.
Women of all ages from Athlone, Lotus River, Ocean View, Macassar, Ravensmead, Uitsig, Manenberg, Lavender Hill, Hanover Park and many more communities were treated to a day of music and laughter.
Local singing stars Vicky Sampson and Sophia Foster plus a few groups of traditional dancers lit up the Artscape stage.
There was a full day’s programme of dance and song to keep the ladies entertained.
LEGENDARY LADIES: Vicky Sampson and Tina Schouw on stage
Many organisations empowering woman had expos to assist women in various aspects of life.
Ntombomzi Makeleni, 69, from Langa says she hopes this Women’s Day empowers females to do the right thing and be pillars of strength in their communities.
“I acknowledge the big day of 1956 today. I was not there but I know the history,” she says.
“Those ladies did something tangible, we seem to be losing touch with that lately. This day (Women’s Day) is now like an outing to many. I came to this festival today to be inspired,” says Ntombomzi.