Thursday, 6 August 2026

Women's Day was framed around the 1956 march to the Union Buildings, with the key question of whether South Africa is raising girls to lead or to seek approval before taking up space.

Mapula Lachodi argued leadership starts in childhood and at home, saying girls must be trusted to speak in their own voices rather than being forced into stereotypes or “first woman” tokens.

On the men’s series, Paul Nzamande said unemployment, financial pressure and “the orphan spirit” are fracturing male identity; he urged fathers, brothers and employers to give consistent presence and practical support.

Naledi Setson shared spoken-word pieces from Locked in a Suitcase, centring ordinary women’s hidden sacrifices and urging listeners to remember that “your voice matters, your story matters, and your strength has the power to inspire”.