The South African Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and Ms. Rosieda Shabodien on the 9th of August, 2012 celebrated South African National Women’s Day, a day commemorated to recall South African Women’s commitment to justice and equality and their bravery in the face of an oppressive Apartheid regime.

On the 9th of August 1956, they held one of the largest demonstrations in South Africa’s history comprised of twenty thousand women of all races including some with children strapped to their backs as they marched to Pretoria’s Union Building to protest against the carrying of passes.

The event titled, “Addressing Unemployment, Poverty and Inequality: Together Contributing Towards the Progressive Future for Women & Forward to the African Women’s Decade,” was an opportunity for attendees to memorialize and reflect on the advances and challenges facing South African women and women globally.

The inspiring and knowledgeable speakers were Dr. Mae Jemison who is the first African-American woman astronaut in space and is now with The Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence and Ms. Kunyalala Maphisa who is the President of Business Women’s Association of South Africa.

Other participants included Rev. Dr Mankekolo Mahlangu-Ngcobo, Mr. Johnny Moloto, Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Deborah Droke, SAA Director Sales Development Mid Atlantic: SAA Sponsorship, Mr. Simon Barber, US Country Manager, Brand South Africa and Ms. Stella V Dhlomo-Imieka.

Read details of the event in Sociable Susan Magazine