Every year on August 9th, South Africa comes together to celebrate National Women’s Day – a day rich with historical significance and contemporary relevance. It’s not just a public holiday or a chance to enjoy a mid-winter long weekend. Women’s Day in South Africa stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience, courage and leadership of South African women, both past and present.
A glance back: the history behind Women’s Day
The origins of Women’s Day date back to 1956, a pivotal moment in the country’s struggle against apartheid. On that day, over 20,000 women of all races marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in protest of the oppressive pass laws, which controlled the movement of Black South Africans under the apartheid regime.
The women, led by heroines such as Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, handed over a petition with more than 100,000 signatures. Their peaceful protest was a striking act of defiance against the government’s attempt to impose pass laws on women. In a moment of collective resistance, they stood in silence for 30 minutes – an eerie, powerful silence that echoed louder than any shouted slogan.
They then broke into a haunting protest song: “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo” (“You strike a woman, you strike a rock”) – a phrase that has become synonymous with the strength of South African women.
🔗 Learn more about the 1956 Women’s March on SA History Online.
Why It Matters Today
Today, Women’s Day is more than just a historical commemoration. It’s a national occasion that highlights ongoing struggles faced by women in South Africa and across the world. While legal apartheid is a thing of the past, gender-based violence, inequality in the workplace, and limited access to education and healthcare continue to impact millions of South African women.
Events on and around August 9th often shine a spotlight on these issues through panel discussions, awareness campaigns, and community outreach programmes. Government bodies, NGOs, and grassroots organisations use this day to elevate the voices of women and push for systemic change.
Women’s Month: A Broader Celebration
August in South Africa is not just about one day. The entire month is officially recognised as Women’s Month, providing a platform to honour the contributions of women in various spheres: politics, business, education, sports, and the arts.
Travelers in South Africa during August will find exhibitions, heritage tours, storytelling events, and women-led markets taking place across the country. From Cape Town’s cultural hubs to Johannesburg’s historic landmarks, there are countless opportunities to engage with stories that reflect both the struggles and the victories of South African women. The Garden Route and Klein Karoo are no exceptions, with events and gatherings celebrating women within the region and beyond.
How travelers can engage meaningfully
If you’re visiting South Africa during Women’s Month, consider going beyond the tourist trail:
- Visit the Women’s Living Heritage Monument in Pretoria, dedicated to the 1956 march and the broader contribution of women to the country’s liberation;
- Support women-owned businesses and social enterprises, especially in rural and township communities;
- Attend local storytelling sessions or feminist art exhibits – these are often hosted at cultural centres like Constitution Hill in Johannesburg or The District Six Museum in Cape Town. Ask your local hosts for events taking place in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo; or
- Learn about local heroes and unsung heroines by joining heritage tours focused on women’s history.
A woman’s perspective
National Women’s Day in South Africa is a day of pride, remembrance, and a call to action. It’s a time to honour those who came before, uplift those who are still fighting, and celebrate the multifaceted power of women. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, it’s an invitation to pause and reflect – not only on the past, but on how we can all contribute to a more just, equal society.
So, if you find yourself in South Africa during August, take the time to explore the country’s rich tapestry of ‘herstory’ – because when you strike a woman, indeed, you strike a rock.
In the Garden Route and Klein Karoo this August?
Check out the Garden Route & Klein Karoo Events & Festivals calendar, or start right here with a variety of events and happenings celebrating Women’s Month:
The acclaimed piano quartet Take Four is coming back to Plettenberg Bay for a special fundraising concert in support of the PlettAid Foundation.
- DATE: 05 August 2025
- TIME: 6pm – 8pm
- VENUE: St Peters Anglican Church, Plett
- TICKETS: R280.00 – BOOK ONLINE or at Market Square Info Kiosk.
Following their unforgettable performance in August 2022, this ensemble of four of South Africa’s most distinguished classical musicians – Zanta Hofmeyr (violin), Jeanne-Louise Moolman (cello), Susan Mouton (viola), and Elna van der Merwe (piano) – returns with their signature blend of virtuosity, warmth, and heartfelt camaraderie. Their music, enriched by decades of friendship and collaboration, promises an evening of inspiration and world-class artistry in aid of a vital local cause.
💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐Celebrate a healthy “HER” – Women’s Day Hike & Gentle Movement to Music
Join us this Women’s Day, 3 days in a row, to celebrate the incredible women around us. A perfect mix of self-care, health & connection to heart, breath & soul
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- FRIDAY 08 August 2025 at 15:30
- SATURDAY 09 August 2025 at 11:00
- SUNDAY 10 August 2025 at 11:00
R100 per person / R50 kids u/6
INCLUDES:
- Guided 5.5km walking trail along the river, on the railway line, into the forest
- Sweet snack & drink halfway at the forest picnic spot
- End the hike with a gentle movement to music on the grass facilitated by Lizl from @yourbodywantstomove
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FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT – bring another amazing woman to join you, your husband and your kids!
TO BOOK FOR THIS EVENT
1. Email adventure@blackwaters.co.za with your details, clearly stating which day and how many people will be booking and we will send you an email with our banking details for the payment
2. Book & pay on line on www.blackwaters.co.za for the event. Or simply book online.
3. ONLY 30 participants per walk. 2x Adventure guides with each walk
4. Meet 15 minutes before the starting time at Reception for the pre-briefing
5. Dress Code – sporty and comfortable with a “touch of nature”
6. Bring your refillable water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent & your sparkling personalities
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NEED MORE INFORMATION?
adventure@blackwaters.co.za / +27 (0)67 194 9788 (whatsapp only)
Linocut Workshop on the banks of the Goukamma River, at Blackwaters River Lodge. Join Greta Helberg and explore the intricate art of linocuts. Fee includes all materials, a glass of wine, and your own linocut print and tile.
Reservations can be made by whatsapp on +27 (0)72 605 6192
Celebrate Women’s Day with a Hike in Nature: Join us for a rejuvenating day outdoors filled with connection, fresh air, and empowering vibes as we honor the strength, resilience, and beauty of women everywhere.
🥾 Women’s Day Hike Details
📅 Date: 09 August 2025
🕘 Time: 07 AM
📍 Location: Robberg Mountain, Meeting Point: Kwano Clinic n Shell Garage
🚶♀ Difficulty: [Easy / Moderate / Advanced] Cost R200 (Transport & Hiking Fee Included)
🎒 What to Bring: Water, comfy shoes, snacks, layers, and your beautiful self!
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a meaningful way to celebrate, this day is for you.
Let’s walk together, lift each other up, and make some unforgettable memories. 🌿💪✨
Please RSVP by contacting Phiwe Sabani @ +27 (0)65 802 1048, or on whatsapp @ +27 (0)73 632 2572. Limited Space available.
WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL:
- Bring your favourite ladies to the forest and get 10% off!
- Wild Clay Workshop, Forest Walk & Wild Clay Demo | Sun. 10 August
- On Sunday, 10 August, we’re celebrating Women’s Day with a special workshop offer – bring your favourite ladies for a Wild Clay Workshop in the forest for just R450 pp!
Why not treat mom, aunt, gran, sisters, or daughters to a delicious lunch in our area (we can recommend Portland Manor Estate or Totties Country Market) – then join us for an inspiring Wild Clay Workshop, Forest Walk & Wild Clay Demo in the breathtaking Knysna Forest!
Space is limited. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Coming Up
- SUN 10 AUGUST | 14:00 – 17:00 Women’s Day Special – Bring your favourite women and get 10% off! (R450 pp) Wild Clay Workshop, Wild Clay Demo & Forest Walk (Rheenendal – Knysna Forest)
- SAT 16 AUGUST | 12:00 – 15:30 Wild Clay Workshop, Wild Clay Demo & Forest Walk (Rheenendal – Knysna Forest)
- SUN 17 AUGUST | 11:30 – 15:00 Clay Workshop & Lunch Portland Manor Estate – Rheenendal (Knysna Rural)
The Gwen Event returns on Saturday, 30 August from 11am–2pm at The Rose Pavilion at Bosky Dell just outside Plettenberg Bay. Join 100+ women in business for a vibrant morning of networking, bubbly, live music, panel talks, and a curated expo.
It’s connection, visibility, and momentum — the Gwen way.
- Book your ticket now via Quicket: https://qkt.io/5nprs9
- For more info on The Gwen Group: https://thegwengroup.co.za/