Women’s Day is not just the celebration of the performance of being a woman – like doing our nails or hair. In South Africa, the 9th of August is a historical commemoration. On this day in 1956, about 20 000 women came together and marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to stand up against the Apartheid government’s rule over the movement of black women. This is a fact that I all so often need to remind men of when they apathetically ask: “But when is men’s day?”
This day is a reminder of what is possible when women come together; it is a reminder of the power that we possess and how we are able to change the course of history when we unite.
Celebrating the feminine is empowering and while there may be many brunches and cutesy high teas taking place, here are some causes you can support while celebrating Women’s Day to give you that extra dose of dopamine.
1. Justice Desk Africa at the V&A Waterfront
Award-winning human rights organisation, Justice Desk Africa will be showcasing art, music and culture from South Korea and South Africa. The goal is to celebrate girls and women while highlighting the plight of the feminine body. Expect to see award-winning conductor and composer Henry Cheng, the Cape Philharmonic String Quartet and Justice Desk Africa’s own Mbokodo Girls Choir.
Here are the details for Justice Desk Africa at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre:
Date: 12 August 2023
Time: 5pm
Venue: V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre
Cost: FREE
Image credit: @justicedeskafrica/ Facebook
2. Positivi-tea at Valkenberg Hospital
The Friends of Valkenberg Trust is hosting a high tea at the Valkenberg Hospital. The high tea aims to end the stigma around mental illness and promote mental health, while specifically honing in on women’s mental health and wellness. The programme includes talks to inspire and motivate by Saskia Riley and Katie Rose and a speaker from the Department of Health, as well as a ballroom/Latin dancing exhibition by Greg’s Dance School and a live music performance by Sammy and Lesley Rae Webber. Proceeds from the high tea will go towards resources and activities at the hospital.
Date: 9 August 2023
Time: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Courtyard in Hospital Gardens and Main Hall, Valkenberg Hospital
Cost: R250
Get your tickets at Quicket
Ps: dress to the nines as there will be a best-dressed competition at the event.
3. Totalsports Women’s Race
Paint the town pink this Women’s Day with Totalsports’ annual Women’s Race taking place in Johannesburg and Durban*. A part of the proceeds of the Totalsports Women’s Race goes to PinkDrive, an NGO that provides free breast cancer awareness, education and services to those who are unable to afford medical aid in South Africa. PinkDrive will be present at each event (Durban and Johannesburg) offering FREE clinical breast examinations and educating on the importance of self breast examinations.
Date: 9 August 2023
Time: 8am
Venue: Johannesburg (Mark’s Park, Judith Ave, Emmarentia) and Durban (Masabalala Yengwa Avenue)
Cost: R110 – R190
Enter at PicknPay or get your tickets at Webtickets
*The Cape Town event has been cancelled due to the ongoing taxi strike.
Image credit: @Women’s Race / Facebook
Where will you be spending your Women’s Day?
Compiled by: Marian Volkwyn
