Women who run this world

Judith Sephuma

Beyonce was quite right when she wrote the song, Girls (Who Run This World). Girls and women do actually run this world, because as they say, behind every successful man is even a more successful woman. With National Women's Day being celebrated on Tuesday 9 August, which commemorates the national march of women on this day in 1956 to petition against legislation that required African persons to carry the "pass", special identification documents which curtailed an African's freedom of movement during the apartheid era, we got in touch with some of our leading local female singers to get their thoughts on this day.

"I believe that woman are celebrated every day, but to gave a national women's day is really special as it marks how far we have come and how much South Africa is changing," explains well-known Afro jazz singer Judith Sephuma, who has just released her new CD, I Am Living Testimony. "Women are now appreciated as we experience so much and this make us feel real worth it. For a change we are not being reminded of the negative around womanhood, but we are celebrated for the good that woman does." 

Chrizaan

Afrikaans singer Chrizaan agrees with Judith. "Judith summed it up beautifully. All I can add is that if you look at the history of National Women's Day and what it's really about, what the women of this country was obligated to do, and what they've achieved. The goal to strive for woman's rights, courage and strength. I fully support their motivation and the success of their achievements." To celebrate the day, Chrizaan is doing a motivational show in Potchefstroon with a number of women to "celebrate women's rights and the day."

For Judith as well it will be a working day, but it's something she is looking forward to. "I'll be doing a guest appearance at Micheal Bolton's concert at Carnival City, it's a womens celebration concert."

Mango Groove's sexy singer Claire Johnston again believes that celebrating the day is a good thing "insofar as it gets us all thinking about the vital roles women play in all areas of life, but it needs to extend beyond a day, or even a month." Actress and singer Sorina Erasmus, better known to 7de Laan fans as the Flooze from Witbank, also believes that there shouldn't be just one day to celebrate women, it "should be done every day of our lives. The special day should remind people to treat the women of the country and respect as it will result in a blessed country."

Soulful jazz singer Luarie Levind, who had just performed at the past Oppikoppi Unknown Brother Music Festival, told us that the day should remind everyone the inequalities and wrongs of the past and to remind people that “we are living in a different world now where women have voices.”

Judith sums up the day beautifull and the message it hold for all women in South Africa: “I believe it’s not easy to be a woman, but because you are a woman – we have an amazing strength to overcome, the patience to understand even when we shouldn’t. Lets stand together by supporting one another in any way we can. Be proud to be a woman.”