Every year in August South Africa celebrates Woman’s Day in commemoration of the iconic 1956 women’s march against dompass. Four women led a march of 20 000 women who demonstrated bravery and went against the notorious and venomous apartheid regime that imposed harsh and inhumane laws on people. Fast forward to sixty years later, women are still strong as mbokodos and will stop at nothing to get what they want.

If this blog is meant to celebrate and acknowledge women’s achievements and sacrifices, then it is only fitting to start off by honouring all the single mothers who have carried the burden of raising their children single-handedly. There’s no amount of hard work that can equate to raising a child alone because someone’s childhood is their roots and foundation. It’s that vulnerable stage that determines whether the child will grow to be obedient or just another skollie that orchestrates smash and grabs.

Even if you were not raised by your biological mother, it is safe to conclude you at least have one woman (or more) who has inspired and influenced you in some way. Let’s look at the following extraordinary rocks:

Caster Makgadi Semenya

Caster Semenya needs no introduction. As you’re reading this, she’s at the Rio Olympics flying the South African flag high. Most importantly, she’s there to prove that critics will always be there but it is your response to them that is important.

South Africans recently rallied behind her after international media brought her gender into question and questioned whether she should be ‘allowed to compete with women’. The reports went on to say that ‘her testosterone levels were almost equal to that of men, and she shouldn’t be allowed to compete with women’.

Caster is an example of marginalisation and gender discrimination. It’s as if they can’t wrap their heads around how one African woman could run so fast. Only mediocre performance is acceptable from a woman because ‘her ability cannot measure up to that of her man counterparts’. Right? Caster proves that theory wrong!

What’s strange here is that nobody said anything when Oscar Pistorius competed with able-bodied men and triumphed. Nobody said he wasn’t disabled enough to compete with disabled men. People just accepted it and saw it as an extraordinary thing that he excelled against both disabled and able-bodied athletes, because men can do anything right?

Caster’s middle name ‘Makgadi’ actually means ‘girl among boys’. She always strived to be the best girl against the people she competed with. If you are arguing that those questions were brought up due to her manly physical attributes, one wonders why the remarkable Serena Williams hasn’t been a victim yet. Caster’s also woman, just a faster breed.

Wayde Van Niekerk

You’ve probably heard of this Cape Town young man who’s been making waves and trending worldwide after smashing world records at the Rio Olympics in the 400m race. But what you might not have heard about are the two important women in his life who ensured that his opponents were nowhere in sight when he crossed that finish line. Wayde’s mother, Odessa Swarts, was an exceptional athlete herself in the late 80s and early 90s.

You could say that Wayde’s record-breaking is something he learned from his mother’s milk. She prepared Wayde and now South Africa is reaping the fruits of her hard labour. That takes us back to the point I’ve made earlier that mothers are an important figure in a child’s upbringing. They take their little children and turn them into internationally acclaimed stars. Where would Wayde be if her mother had not given him the right foundation and a stable environment for him to grow up in?

While you’re still thinking about that, what comes to mind when you hear about a 74-year-old woman? You’re probably thinking of an old and frail grandmother who’s sitting outside enjoying winter’s sun, or am I wrong? Well, Miss Ans Botha is not your typical white-haired 74-year-old. Miss Botha is Wayde’s coach and mentor. She’s another example that a woman doesn’t get old, she just gets better with time!

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

Dr Dlamini-Zuma was married to President Jacob Zuma for more than sixteen years but she’s more than just the president’s ex-wife. She boasts anti-apartheid credentials and has become the first woman to lead the African Union (AU). She has numerous prestigious awards and qualifications to her name, and she’s been linked to taking over the presidency reigns from her ex-husband.

People were of the opinion that Dr Dlamini-Zuma wouldn’t advance in her political career after her divorce. But she is living proof that women can make it on their own. This serves as an example to those women who stay in abusive relationships because they think ‘it is cold outside’.

The point is that women should build their relationships around their lives, not build their lives around their relationships. Dr Dlamini-Zuma is living testimony that education brings women independence and competency, and that strong walls shake but they never collapse!

Adv Thuli Madonsela

During her seven years in office, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has turned the little-known office into a one of the country’s trusted public governance institutions. Not only did she bring the controversial Nkandla into the spotlight, but she also had to face death threats after President Zuma was legally forced to #PayBackTheMoney. Her powers and independence may have been brought questioned, but she stood firm. That’s what happens when a women does her job efficiently without fear or favour.

It was acceptable when women were submissive and didn’t ‘talk back’ to men, but Adv Madonsela has restored women’s dignity. South Africa is now struggling to find her a successor. She has certainly left big shoes to be filled. Her term may be lapsing in few months from now but her contribution to democracy will go down in history books.

This blog obviously cannot feature every inspiring woman – the list is endless. So, last but not least, let’s remember the everyday women who make our world a better place. This month we honour the mothers who leave their own offspring to look after other people’s children, the ones who dip their hands in buckets of cold water buckets to ensure that our offices and malls are hygienically clean, the hawkers who wrap their blankets over their shoulders and sell food to us every day.

She believed she could, so she did. Wathint’abafazi, wathint’imbokodo. You strike a woman, you strike a rock!

This blog was written by Inspiring Tomorrow author Ndibulele Sotondoshe

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