70 Years After the 1956 Women's March, South African Women Continue to Fight for Safety, Equality, and Justice

According to Cassius Selala, when South African women hold leadership positions in science, they contribute not only to the transformation of laboratories but also to the transformation of industries, strengthening the economy, inspiring future generations, and building the inclusive, capable, and prosperous South Africa envisioned by the Constitution.

The Importance of Gender Equality for Development

South Africa is at a crucial stage of its democratic journey. In the process of creating an inclusive economy, ensuring sustainable employment, reducing poverty and inequality, and strengthening the potential of a developing state, it has become clear that the country's progress depends on unlocking the full potential of all its citizens, especially women and girls.

During Women's Month, under the national theme 'Empowering women empowers the nation,' it is reminded that supporting women is not just a constitutional requirement or a matter of social justice, but a central element of South Africa's development plan. This is most evident in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Economic Future Through Innovation

The future of the South African economy will be determined by innovation, research, and technological progress. The industries that will shape tomorrow's economy—such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, medical sciences, and climate innovations—require a skilled workforce capable of solving increasingly complex challenges. Women and girls must be at the center of this transformation.

The National Development Plan until 2030 recognizes the need to expand the country's skills base, invest in innovation, and strengthen research capacity to achieve inclusive economic growth. Similarly, the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (2024–2029) emphasizes inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and combating the high cost of living, as well as building a capable, ethical, and developed state. None of these goals can be fully achieved without a significant increase in the participation and leadership of women in science and innovation.

Women's Contribution to Scientific Achievements

Science extends far beyond laboratories and research institutions; it is the foundation upon which nations build competitive economies. Every medical breakthrough, agricultural innovation, clean energy solution, engineering achievement, and digital technology begins with scientific inquiry. When women participate fully in these fields, they contribute not only to scientific excellence but also to economic expansion, industrial development, and improved public service delivery.

South African women scientists continue to demonstrate outstanding leadership in critical sectors. They advance vaccine research, enhance food security through agricultural science, develop technologies to address water scarcity, drive innovation in mining and manufacturing, and lead research helping communities adapt to climate change. Their work directly contributes to achieving national priorities and improving the daily lives of millions of South Africans.

Barriers and the Need for Strategic Investment

Despite these successes, women remain underrepresented in many STEM disciplines, particularly in leadership roles, research funding, and commercial innovation. Many girls still face obstacles that prevent them from building careers in science and technology. Gender stereotypes, unequal access to quality education, limited mentorship opportunities, workplace discrimination, and uneven burdens of unpaid care continue to limit their potential.

For a country facing persistent unemployment, especially among women and youth, this represents a missed economic opportunity. Therefore, empowering women in science must become a strategic investment in South Africa's economic recovery and development. Every girl who succeeds in mathematics, coding, engineering, or scientific research strengthens the country's ability to compete in the rapidly changing global economy. Every woman who starts a tech enterprise, leads scientific research, or develops innovative solutions contributes to job creation, productivity, and inclusive growth.

Requirements for the Education Ecosystem

This requires targeted investment across the entire education and innovation ecosystem. Girls must have equal access to quality STEM education from an early age. Universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges must expand opportunities for women in research and innovation. The public and private sectors must invest in scholarships, mentorship, research funding, entrepreneurial support, and leadership development to enable women scientists to thrive.

International Commitments and Conclusion

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities continues to advocate for gender-oriented policies aimed at dismantling structural barriers and promoting equal participation in all spheres of society. By collaborating with government departments, academic circles, scientific councils, industry, and civil society, it is essential to ensure that women are not merely participants in South Africa's innovation ecosystem, but its leaders, shaping its future.

Empowering women in science also advances South Africa's international commitments, including the African Union's Agenda 2063, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), as well as commitments under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The country's development plan cannot succeed if innovation excludes half its population. Inclusive growth requires inclusive innovation. A capable developing state needs the talents of female researchers, engineers, data scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs. Our industrialization requires women to design the technologies of the future. Our response to climate change depends on women developing sustainable agricultural systems and clean energy solutions. Our healthcare system relies on women to advance vital research.

By investing in women in science, the country strengthens institutions, makes industries more competitive, improves community health, and enhances economic resilience. Opportunities are created not only for individual women but also for families, communities, and future generations.

On the occasion of Women's Month, South Africa must renew its commitment to creating an environment where every girl can dream without limits, every young woman can build a scientific career without discrimination, and every female scientist can lead, innovate, and contribute fully to national development. The success of South Africa's development plan will ultimately depend on whether we can harness the talents of all our people. Thus, empowering women in science is not just a matter of representation; it is an acceleration of economic transformation, the advancement of innovation, the strengthening of our developing state, and the building of a prosperous nation for all.

Ahead of Women's Month in South Africa in August, hundreds of women will gather in Johannesburg for an event focused on addressing issues of financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The discussion on gender equality goes beyond mere representation and includes financial independence, leadership development, and creating conditions for women to thrive.

The Brave Collective Event

Next month, The Brave Collective will host another event in Johannesburg, bringing together women from the country's advertising, marketing, and creative industries. This gathering initially consisted of only 40 women six years ago, but it has now grown into a community of over 4,000 participants. The Brave Collective, co-founded by Tarin Hunter Sharma and Perry King, serves as a platform that encourages women to invest not only in their careers but also in self-confidence, professional networks, and financial well-being.

Event Details

This year's theme is 'Fortune Favours the Brave. Own It.'. It will take place on August 5th at The Forum in Bryanston and will bring together over 400 women for discussions focused on personal growth, entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial empowerment. According to Hunter Sharma, one of the most significant challenges many women face is discomfort when discussing their own financial worth.

She noted: 'The women in our room are already good at communicating with each other, but they have practiced less in having an honest conversation about money, value, and the numbers in their contracts and bank statements. That is the kind of conversation we created at The Brave Collective.'

Program and Speakers

The program features presentations by successful South African women in business, fashion, and finance. Kenshani Nobanda, Executive Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank Group, will address the topic of confident leadership and decision-making. Lihle Ngskokolo-Nkini, Managing Director of MaXhosa Africa, will share her experience in transforming a proud South African heritage brand into a globally recognized business.

Philanthropist and businesswoman Rachel Kolisi plans to share her personal story of resilience and recovery after life setbacks. Additionally, financial educator Carla Winter, founder of Money With Carla, will conduct a workshop aimed at strengthening women's financial confidence and helping them achieve long-term independence.

Principles and Historical Context

The event will conclude with The Brave Collective's signature 'Greatest Fears Share Session', where participants are encouraged to openly acknowledge their personal and professional fears in a supportive atmosphere. The organization states that its work is built on three interconnected pillars: self-esteem, network, and clean capital, believing that true empowerment requires growth in all three aspects. Hunter Sharma believes that South Africa's legal history provides important context for understanding the relevance of conversations about women's financial independence.

For much of the country's history, many married women could not own property independently, sign contracts, or open bank accounts without their husband's consent. Women in customary marriages did not receive full legal recognition as adults until 1998. Hunter Sharma emphasized that 'this legal history is not distant; every woman in our room is at most one generation away from it. And the industries where most of them work, including ours, still have ground to make up.'

Support for the Initiative

While Women's Month often celebrates achievements, initiatives like The Brave Collective also highlight the need for ongoing work to ensure equal access for women to leadership opportunities, financial knowledge, and supportive professional communities. The event is supported by Nedbank as the main sponsor, along with partners including Biogen, Estée Lauder, Curious Tom, Pop Up Sisters, Profmed, and Chapters.

The death of Bronwyn Heslop occurred in the Durban North area two weeks ago. The woman was killed on Sunday, July 12th. According to paramedics' report, when they arrived at the scene on Blackburn Road in Durban North, she had already died from gunshot wounds. Two other people were also injured in the incident: a young boy and a delivery driver. The woman's funeral took place on Thursday, July 21st. The shooter has not yet been arrested, but it is suspected that the victim knew her killer.

The woman, whose name was Bronwyn Heslop, was a wife, mother, sister, and friend. Following her death, a TikTok account was created in the hope that Heslop's murder would not go unpunished, and messages of condolence flooded the network.

Reaction from acquaintances and activists

An acquaintance of Heslop, speaking to IOL, described her as 'a kind, caring person with a big heart.' He added that although they were not close friends, she always gave 'such beautiful, loving hugs.' This case of brutal murder has once again intensified calls for more decisive action against perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Sabrina Walter, founder of Women For Change, expressed shock and deep sorrow over Heslop's death, sending condolences to her family, especially her three children who will now face life without their mother. Walter noted that Bronwyn's circumstances of death reflect a common pattern in cases of violence against women, particularly when victims attempt to leave abusive relationships.

According to her, reports indicate that Bronwyn had long wanted to leave her marriage and allegedly obtained a protection order after accusations of abuse and domestic violence. Walter emphasized that women are at the highest risk when trying to leave abusive relationships. She insisted on the critical importance of supporting protection orders with effective systems capable of protecting survivors from further harm, stressing that no woman should lose her life while choosing safety and freedom.

Calls to action and statistics

Walter stated that this case must serve as a reminder of the urgent need to strengthen measures against gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. She expressed hope for justice for Bronwyn and called for the National Disaster on GBV, declared last November, to move from declaration to full implementation, as every delay endangers women.

Benedicta van Minnen from DA Women’s Network (DAWN) also voiced concern, noting that ongoing acts of violence call into question the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent such crimes. She stated that SAPS, in her opinion, is failing its constitutional mandate to ensure citizen safety, and insisted that the focus must be on ensuring accountability and justice for Heslop and her family.

Minister in the President for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, stressed that the scale of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cannot be reduced to statistics, as every figure represents a life lost to violence. She called on men to take responsibility for ending violence against women and children, urging society to oppose harmful attitudes and toxic masculinity.

The South African Council for Medical Research, through its Gender and Health Research Unit, confirmed that South Africa continues to have one of the highest rates of femicide in the world. A woman is killed every few hours approximately six times more often than the global average, most often by someone who once claimed her love. These cases are not impersonal figures, but daughters, mothers, and sisters whose lives have been stolen within an ongoing national emergency.

Help and resources

The article also provided contact details for various support services, including the South African Government's GBV Command Centre, the Department of Social Development, People Opposing Woman Abuse (POWA), Action Breaks Silence, Lifeline, SA Depression & Anxiety Group, and Stop Gender Violence and Women Abuse.