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WOMEN’S DAY AT NAVAL STATION DURBAN - "You
strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock"
Article & Photos by WO1 Manny Gounden |
The ladies
of Naval Station Durban (NS Dbn) celebrated Women’s Day
on 6 August 2010 on Salisbury Island. The theme for the
celebration was “Equal Opportunities for All Women.”
The special guest was Capt Judy Rustin-Patrick, the Base
Manager of Naval Base Simon’s Town.
Officer
Commanding NS Dbn, Cdr Sifiso Mkhwanazi, wished all the
women a happy women’s day and encouraged them to empower
themselves.
Lt (SAMHS)
Rowena Govender, the unit’s social worker, planned an
eventful day which drew speakers from the private sector
to speak on topics that have an impact on today's women.
The Ladies from Naval Station Durban
Lt (SAMHS)
Govender said that it was an ideal opportunity for the
ladies to interact with each other to foster better
relationships in the work place. She mentioned that all
the ladies who attended the function were made to feel
special.
Mr
Pithambaran Francis, an Ayurvedic (the art of healing
through natural medicine) Practitioner, presented a very
interesting talk on human energy, financial management,
aura, food intake and the art of countering stress. The
ladies asked many questions on health-related matters.
Mini-stalls
were set up for the ladies to visit and gain new
experiences. (Professional consultants manned the
stalls.) At the stalls the ladies had their nails
manicured, obtained advice on beauty products and had
the opportunity to purchase clothing and beauty
products.
LS Mbali
Mseleku said, “I am very happy to be here today with
all the ladies from the unit. I am getting to know
everyone and I am most certain that this will encourage
the ladies to gain confidence in the workplace and in
society". When asked if she enjoyed the day, “Most
definitely.” she replied.
Women’s Day
has taken many forms of celebration in South Africa. Let
us remember the beginnings of our women 54 years ago,
when a legion of brave and determined women threw down
the gauntlet to the government of the day at the Union
Buildings.
This day
commemorates 9 August 1956 when 20 000 women
participated in a national march to petition against the
extension of the Pass Laws to women. (It was a
legislation that required African persons to carry a
document on them to prove that they were allowed to
enter a "white" area.) They left bundles of petitions
containing more than 100 000 signatures at Prime
Minister J.G. Strijdom’s office door. They also sang a
protest song especially composed to honour the protest
march.
Since 1994,
9 August has been commemorated annually in South Africa
and is known as Women’s Day.
Born out of
that protest march was the phrase “Wathint’ abafazi,
wathint’ imbokodo, meaning, “You strike a woman, you
strike a rock”.
That women
are the rock-solid foundation upon which our country is
built, is unquestionable. The role played by women in
our society is invaluable and thus the whole month of
August is dedicated in their honour as recognition of
their relentlessness in nation building.
Happy
Women’s Month to all the women in the SA Navy!
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