9 August 1956. A day we celebrate the power of women to transform the world. A day South Africa pays tribute to the more than 20 000 women, iconic women leaders the likes of Ma Albertina Sisulu, Sophie Williams-De Bruyn, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Lillian Ngoyi and Amina Cachalia,women Nelson Mandela hailed as “courageous, persistent, enthusiastic, indefatigable”, women who marched to the seat of the apartheid government to uphold their rights and in protest against the discriminatory pass law imposed upon women.

Nelson Mandela dedicated his entire life to champion the cause for equality, dignity and human rights. The Constitution, which forms part of his legacy and governs our nation, so unequivocally embraces gender equality and proudly affirms the dignity of all as it continues to remind us of his vision.

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO TURN THE TIDE? Celebrating the power of women to transform the world

Chair: Patience Mungwari MpaniManager, Women’s Rights Unit, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

Welcome: Prof Frans Viljoen Director, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

Introduction to the Mandela Talks: Dr Liaqat AzamDirector, Leading Like Mandela Institute

Message by HE Ms Ndileka MandelaSocial Activist and CEO of Thembekile Mandela Foundation

Message by HE Ms Nardos Bekele-ThomasResident Co-ordinator, United Nations South Africa

ESTEEMED PANELLISTS:

HE Ms Ntsiki SisuluClinical Psychologist and Gender Activist

Ms Anne Githuku-Shongwe Global Leader, Representative for UN Women’s South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO)

Ms Esther Maluleke Chief Director: Governance Transformation, Justice & Security, Department of Women in the Presidency

Ms Tamara Eugenia Mathebula Honourable Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality

Gregory Nott Director, Norton Rose Fulbright; Former Vice-President, National Association of Democratic Lawyers- A running battle: Caster Semenya’s courageous fight for women and human rights

As long as women are bound by poverty and as long as they

are looked down upon, human rights will lack substance…

as long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making a

meaningful contribution to society, progress will be slow!

MANDELA TALKSWebinar

5 AUGUST 2020

11:00 – 13:00 SAST

Click here to registerA Zoom link & password

will be sent to your email one hour before the

webinar starts

This webinar hosted jointly by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the Leading Like Mandela Institute, the Thembekile Mandela Foundation and the United Nations, in a series of online “Mandela Talks” honours these legacies, celebrates the power of women to rise above adversity in creating a better world and remembers the indomitable spirit of Zindzi Mandela, a great daughter of the nation.

This comes at a time when the world is undergoing a major transformation as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. The plight of women in dealing with this pandemic and the effects thereof has highlighted the dire need to address the inequalities and indignity women suffer, gender based violence, poverty and the lack of access to the basic human rights. Our esteemed panellists whilst drawing upon the legacies of these great leaders and the wisdom derived from their own life experience will explore the leading role of women in striving to address these inequalities and to give birth to a world with human dignity, human fulfillment, peace, freedom and equality.

Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Sophia Williams led the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, carrying stacks of petitions to present to the government

Ma Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu at the 1956 Women’s March