The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation continues to build a growing Roll Call of Honour to recognise the women who participated in the historic 1956 Women’s March, making sure that they are written into history, by name.

In response to the Foundation’s ongoing public call, families and community members continue to come forward to identify women who marched to the Union Buildings in protest against pass laws. While the march remains one of the most powerful acts of resistance in South Africa’s history, many of the estimated 20 000 women who took part were never formally recorded.

Since the launch of this initiative in August 2020, the Foundation has recorded 96 names as part of this growing public record.

For decades, these women have been remembered simply as “the 20 000 women.”

Now, they are being named.

The following names have been submitted in response to the most recent call:
Sekeleni Jane Maphutha; Ama Naidoo; Ramnie Dinat; Thailama Pillay; Sinda Pillay; Zaibunnisa Bhyat; and Mary Benson.

Each name marks a shift from anonymity to recognition. A step towards making sure that the women who shaped this defining moment are not reduced to a number.

This work is about recording and recognising the women whose courage helped shape our democracy. We are working to write her into history, one name at a time.

The initiative forms part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to preserve and protect historical legacies, while creating avenues for public participation in documenting South Africa’s past.

The Foundation encourages individuals, families, and communities to continue submitting the names of women who took part in the 1956 Women’s March, contributing to a growing Roll Call of Honour.

Write her into history.

Submit a name: info@kathradafoundation.org

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Issued by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation

For media inquiries, please contact:

Anele Gcwabe

Communications Manager

Ahmed Kathrada Foundation

083-278-8832

anele@kathradafoundation.org