To mark Women’s Day on Saturday 9 August, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) honoured the courageous women who, in 1956, marched to the Union Buildings to protest against apartheid pass laws.
Their defiant stand proved that people are not powerless in the face of injustice—and that through unity and collective action, they can shape the course of history
Cosatu also announced that it plans to celebrate its 40th anniversary in December as it was reminded of how women leaders made sure that the unique challenges faced by women on the shopfloor were made an integral part of the wider workers’ struggle.
The eradication of all forms of discrimination against women
In a press statement, Zanele Sabela, COSATU national spokesperson, said: “A key aspect of COSATU Workers’ Charter campaign in the late 1980s, whose aim was to ensure that workers’ rights and demands were included in the new constitution after apartheid, was the inclusion of women’s demands to address their unique set of challenges.”
Sabela said the eradication of all forms of discrimination against women in the workplace was among the demands.
“So was the participation of women at leadership and all levels of government, trade unions, political parties, and all other mass organisations; along with the opposition of all forms of male chauvinism both inside and outside the home. The charter was also adamant that all adults would have the right to work and that a minimum wage should be set down.”
Four decades later
Nearly four decades later, COSATU boasts hard-won victories, including paid maternity and parental leave, equal pay for equal work, a National Minimum Wage (NMW) that has lifted 6 million workers out of poverty, the majority of whom are women and vulnerable.
“The Code of Good Practice on Sexual Harassment ensures that both employers and employees are aware of their rights and the correct procedures to follow when incidents arise. Women occupy leadership roles across key institutions in society, including at COSATU itself, Parliament, government and the judiciary,” explained Sabela.
Sabela said women mineworkers still face challenges.
“Women mineworkers have been subjected to strip searches at Kopanang Gold Mine. This happened even though mining houses are counted among employers who are most keenly aware of the country’s health and safety legislation.”
According to Sabela, the enforcement of the NMW remains a challenge.
Challenges
“Even as right-wing organisations claim that implementation has led to the high rate of unemployment in the country and many employers refusing to comply. However, despite being dangerously high at 43.1%, the unemployment rate amongst women clocked at a terrifying 47% in the first quarter of 2025.”
Sabela said whilst great strides have been made to build a public service representative of society and one where women can reach the most senior of positions, the same cannot be said of the private sector where senior management remains male and pale nor of the JSE where women shareholders are a minority.
“More harrowing are the pervasive cases of gender-based violence and femicide that dominate headlines despite the country’s legal efforts to tackle this scourge.”
Protect women, children and other vulnerable persons
Sabela urged society to do more to ensure that the brutal murders of Olerato Mongale, Likhona Fose and Jayden-Lee Meek do not become “commonplace”.
“We must ensure that the country’s criminal legislation is utilised fully to protect women, children and other vulnerable persons. Law enforcement and related institutions must be appropriately resourced to ensure that perpetrators are caught, prosecuted and imprisoned.”
Sabela said while progress has been made since 1956 and since the formation of COSATU, more needs to be done to ensure women can claim their stake as equal partners in the country’s future.
