9 August 2026

The Edgar Legoale Foundation joins millions of South Africans in commemorating Women’s Day 2026 and celebrating the remarkable women whose strength, courage, resilience and leadership continue to shape families, communities and the nation.

Women’s Day is more than a public holiday. It is a day of remembrance, reflection and celebration. It reminds us of the extraordinary courage shown by women who stood together against injustice and fought for freedom, equality and human dignity. Their sacrifices helped shape the democratic South Africa we enjoy today and continue to inspire future generations to build a more equal, inclusive and prosperous country.

As South Africa commemorates this important day, we honour the historic Women’s March of 9 August 1956, when more than 20,000 courageous women from across the country marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against apartheid pass laws. Their peaceful but powerful demonstration became one of the defining moments in South Africa’s liberation struggle and gave birth to the timeless words, “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo” – “You strike a woman, you strike a rock.”

The Edgar Legoale Foundation pays tribute to the extraordinary women who led and strengthened South Africa’s liberation struggle. We honour leaders such as Charlotte Maxeke, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, Albertina Sisulu and Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Their courage, sacrifice, vision and unwavering commitment to justice opened doors for future generations of women and helped shape the democratic South Africa we proudly call home today.

Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, in particular, became a symbol of courage, resilience and hope during some of the country’s darkest years. Despite persecution, imprisonment and constant harassment by the apartheid government, she remained a fearless voice for freedom and inspired millions of South Africans never to lose hope in the struggle for justice and equality.

As an organisation proudly rooted in Tumahole and the Ngwathe community, the Edgar Legoale Foundation also reflects on the important role women played during the historic 1984 Tumahole Rent Boycott. While history often highlights well-known leaders, many local women stood at the forefront of the struggle. They organised communities, attended meetings, protected families, mobilised neighbours, cared for children under extremely difficult circumstances and demonstrated remarkable courage in the face of injustice. Their contribution remains an important chapter in the history of Tumahole and deserves to be remembered, documented and shared with future generations.

Today, the Foundation continues to celebrate women who are making a positive contribution to South Africa through leadership, education, entrepreneurship, public service and community development.

We acknowledge the contribution of leaders such as Mme Sefora Ntombela, whose years of public service and commitment to advancing women in leadership have inspired many young women to believe that they too can serve their communities with distinction.

We also recognise Executive Mayor Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni for demonstrating that education remains a lifelong journey. Her recent achievement of obtaining her Master’s degree while serving in public office sends a powerful message that learning never stops. Her dedication to education, together with her leadership in contributing towards improved stability, governance and service delivery within the Ngwathe Local Municipality, serves as an inspiration to young women and future leaders across South Africa.

The Edgar Legoale Foundation believes that empowering women is fundamental to building stronger families, stronger communities and a stronger nation. Women continue to play a vital role in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, business, agriculture, public service, tourism, sport, arts and culture, law enforcement, politics, science, technology and many other sectors that contribute to South Africa’s social and economic development.

Every day, women continue to make an impact in ways that often go unnoticed. We honour mothers who raise families with love and sacrifice, grandmothers who preserve our values and traditions, teachers who shape young minds, nurses and healthcare workers who care for the sick, police officers who protect our communities, entrepreneurs who create jobs, domestic workers, farm workers, social workers, community volunteers, faith leaders and every young woman pursuing her dreams despite the challenges she may face. Their contribution is invaluable and deserves recognition.

The Edgar Legoale Foundation remains committed to creating opportunities that empower women and girls through education, youth development, leadership development, entrepreneurship, skills development and economic empowerment. Through our various community programmes and initiatives, we will continue working towards creating environments where women can realise their full potential, become leaders in their communities and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.

Foundation Manager, Ms Nthabiseng Molejane, said Women’s Day should inspire every South African to move beyond celebrating women for one day and instead commit to supporting and empowering them every day of the year.

“Women’s Day reminds us of the strength, courage and resilience of women throughout our country’s history. We honour the women who fought for our freedom, celebrate the women who are leading today and encourage the young women who will become tomorrow’s leaders. Empowerment must go beyond words. It must create real opportunities for women and girls to learn, lead, innovate, build businesses, access education and participate fully in society.

As the Edgar Legoale Foundation, we remain committed to building a society where every woman and every girl is respected, supported and given the opportunity to reach her full potential. Together, we can create communities where women feel safe, valued and empowered to pursue their dreams.”

As we commemorate Women’s Day 2026, let us also remember that the journey towards equality continues. While South Africa has made significant progress, there is still much work to be done to eliminate gender-based violence, expand economic opportunities for women, improve access to quality education and healthcare, and ensure that women are represented equally in leadership and decision-making.

The Foundation calls upon government, the private sector, civil society, communities and every South African to work together in creating safe, inclusive and empowering environments where women and girls can thrive, lead and succeed.

When women succeed, families become stronger. When women are educated, communities prosper. When women are empowered, nations grow.

Today, we honour the pioneers who marched in 1956.

We honour the courageous women of the liberation struggle.

We honour the women of the 1984 Tumahole Rent Boycott.

We honour today’s women leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, educators and community builders.

Most importantly, we honour every woman whose daily sacrifices continue to build a better South Africa.

To every mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, wife, friend and young girl pursuing her dreams, we say:

Thank you.

We celebrate you.

We honour you.

Happy Women’s Day.

Creating a Brighter Future

Issued by:

Nthabiseng Molejane
Foundation Manager
Edgar Legoale Foundation

082 287 2290
nthabiseng@edgarlegoale.com
www.edgarlegoale.com