By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga officially launched Women’s Month 2026 through the EmpowerHer Market Trade Fair in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on August 1, 2026.
The launch marked the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March.
Chikunga said the commemoration honours the women whose courage helped secure the rights and freedoms enjoyed today, reaffirming government’s commitment to advancing women’s rights.
She reminded the audience that the 20,000 women who marched on the Union Buildings were “authors of our liberation and freedom, the midwives of democracy, and the custodians of a future they would never fully see but boldly chose to build.”
“While we celebrate the remarkable achievements of South African women, we also recognize that much work remains. Inequality, unemployment, gender-based violence and femicide, and barriers to economic participation continue to affect far too many women and girls.”
Chikunga said the EmpowerHer event was not simply an exhibition but a market‑access intervention designed to link women‑owned businesses directly with buyers, financiers and policymakers.
“Women of South Africa – rise, the baton is in your hands. Be empowered, to empower your nation,” she declared.
Chikunga urged participants to use the platform to develop practical interventions that will strengthen public institutions and improve outcomes for vulnerable groups.
“This is about continuing the work of those who came before us and ensuring that equality becomes a lived reality for all,” the Minister said.
She reiterated that the department’s mandate is rooted in the country’s liberation history and focuses on advancing the participation and empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities through advocacy, monitoring and policy integration.
“Central to this mandate is our commitment to transform and empower vulnerable groups into catalysts for socio-economic change, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Meanwhile President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide for a period of three years, effective from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029.
The appointment was made in terms of section 6(1)(a) read with sections 6(2) and (3), and section 9(1)(a) of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, 2024 (Act No. 9 of 2024).
The Council is a statutory body mandated to provide strategic leadership on the elimination of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
It is also charged with coordinating a multi-sectoral and inter-sectoral approach towards the implementation of the national strategy addressing gender-based violence and femicide at national, provincial and local levels and at community and other forums.
The President has appointed the following Council members:
- Dr Ramalepe Lebogang Mathibe
- Ms Keitumetse Fatimata Moutloatse
- Ms Caroline Peters
- Dr Zubeda Dangor
- Ms Vuyisiwe Numalo
- Mr Anele Siswana and
- Mr TWM Limema
In terms of section 6(6)(a) of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, the President designated Mathibe as the Chairperson of the Council and Welheminah R. (Shoki) Tshabalala as the Deputy Chairperson.