South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa received a copy of Nobel Peace Laureate – Malala Yousafzai’s book during their engagement at the 2026 National Women’s Day Commemoration at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. Malala also shared a message that from young people she met through Equal Education in South Africa, who expressed their wish for the President to visit them.
This exchange reflected the importance of young people’s voices and the shared commitment to advance the rights and opportunities of young people and girls.
Considering her visit, SA President stated that they are honoured to have with them here Malala Yousafzai, who paid a heavy price for her activism. He said that a cruel ideology tried to silence her, but she rose to become one of the most strident voices for the emancipation of women in the whole world.
“Malala, thank you for being here today. We welcome you,” said Ramaphosa.
President @CyrilRamaphosa receives a copy of Nobel Peace Laureate Ms Malala Yousafzai’s book during their engagement at the 2026 National Women’s Day Commemoration at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.
Malala also shared a message from young people she met through Equal Education… pic.twitter.com/UZc2RbBSvB
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 9, 2026
South Africa is celebrating 70 Years of Women’s Power; where President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africans to honour the women of 1956 by delivering the future for which they marched during 2026 National Women’s Day Commemoration at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.
The President said that the true measure of this 70th anniversary will be whether every woman and girl can grow up safe, healthy and confident in her future, with equal opportunity, equal rights and equal dignity.
Cyril Ramaphosa stated that as a country South Africa have been consistent that there can be no human rights without women’s rights. There can be no progress in society without the empowerment of women.
Their government has always believed that they cannot achieve social justice without gender equality. This conviction is rooted in their commitment to build a South Africa that is united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, prosperous and free.
South Africa ranks highly on global indices for women’s empowerment, including for gender parity, educational outcomes, financial inclusion and political representation and decision-making. The nation is proud of how far it has come.
70 Years of Women’s Power
Reflecting on the courage of the women who stood here 70 years ago, President @CyrilRamaphosa called for the advancement of equality, safety, economic opportunity and quality healthcare for women and girls.#WomensDay pic.twitter.com/H1nOwY0rdF
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 9, 2026
At present, women are serving as Chief Justice, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Public Protector and Auditor-General. Here, women are also ministers, mayors, judges, traditional leaders, diplomats, police officers, soldiers, entrepreneurs, farmers, scientists, engineers, academics, artists and athletes.
In South Africa, women have made significant gains in higher education and will continue to break barriers in fields that were once closed to them. These gains matter; as they were fought for; and they must be defended.
Today, women have the right to vote, to hold public office, to own property and land, to inherit, to choose whom to marry and to participate fully in every sphere of society. In SA women completely lead institutions that are vital to the democracy.
Ramaphosa added that now in South Africa women live in fear of the gender-based violence that stalks them in the streets, even in their homes. Violence against women and children is not confined to any one particular community.
It affects rich and poor, young and old, black and white. That is why they classified gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster. They did so, so that they could harness all the resources and capabilities of the state to end these crimes.
70 Years of Women’s Power
President @CyrilRamaphosa calls on South Africans to honour the women of 1956 by delivering the future for which they marched during 2026 National Women’s Day Commemoration at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.
The President says the true measure of this… pic.twitter.com/qVttgINRGE
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 9, 2026
He added that South Africa believes that a woman who is healthy, educated, safe and economically independent is better able to determine the course of her own life. By investing in women’s health, they invest in the health, productivity and future of their nation.
Furthermore, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the 2026 National Women’s Day commemoration at the Union Building.
He said that the women of South Africa have shaped their freedom and they thanked them. Together, they will shape their future. The commemoration marked 70 years since 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings, held under the theme “Empowered Women Empower Nations”.
He emphasised that Women’s Day is a day on which they honour the women of South Africa. But it is also a day of profound significance for their entire country. This is because the Women’s March of 1956 was not a footnote in the struggle for freedom. It helped to change the course, the character and the leadership of that struggle.