Johannesburg | 1-2 August 2026
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, in partnership with the Sophia & Henry De Bruyn Legacy Foundation, will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March through a weekend of remembrance, reflection and recognition under the theme Women of Fortitude.
The commemorative programme will begin on Saturday, 1 August, with a visit to the gravesite of Mary Moodley in Wattville Cemetery, Ekuruleni. The tribute will be attended by Struggle veteran Sophie Williams-de Bruyn, Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Neeshan Balton, and a small group of activists to honour one of the women who participated in the historic march to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. The visit will serve as a prelude to the Foundations’ main public commemoration on Sunday.
On Sunday, 2 August, Sophie Williams-de Bruyn, members of the Moosa family, activists and members of the public will gather for the Foundations’ main commemorative programme. The Moosa family will honour the legacy of their matriarch, Rahima Moosa, who was among the organisers of the historic march.
The commemoration will begin at Avalon Cemetery, where participants will pay tribute to Helen Joseph and Lillian Ngoyi, before proceeding to Newclare to honour Rahima Moosa and Albertina Sisulu.
As participants retrace the footsteps of the women of 1956, the programme will also honour a select group of Women of Fortitude from diverse sectors of society whose leadership and service continue to advance the values for which the marchers fought.
The programme will further recognise the ongoing “Who Were the 20 000 Women? Write Her Into History” campaign by reading the names of some of the women who marched in 1956 and whose identities have since been recovered through the initiative, restoring to public memory the izimbokodo that history dared to forget.
Members of the media are invited to attend both commemorative events.
Event Details
Prelude Commemoration
Date: Saturday, 1 August 2026
Time: 09:00
Venue: Mary Moodley’s gravesite, Wattville Cemetery
Main Commemoration
Date: Sunday, 2 August 2026
Time: 09:00-13:00
Route: Starting at Avalon Cemetery and concluding at Newclare
Media opportunities include:
- Visit to the gravesite of Mary Moodley during the prelude commemoration
- Participation by Sophie Williams-de Bruyn
- Tribute ceremonies at Avalon Cemetery and Newclare
- Recognition of the 2026 Women of Fortitude honourees
- Reading of the names recovered through the “Who Were the 20 000 Women? Write Her Into History” campaign
- Interview opportunities with organisers, Sophie Williams-de Bruyn, members of the Moosa family and participants
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About the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation:
The Foundation aims to deepen non-racialism and promote the values of the South African Constitution. It continues the legacy of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada by advocating for ethical leadership and social justice.
Media Enquiries:
Anele Gcwabe
Communications Manager
083 278 8832
anele@kathradafoundation.org
