The Power of Sisterhood: The Celebration of Women’s Day

By Lathitha Matebese

In celebration of Women’s Day, the Rhodes University Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP) hosted the Women's Round Table in collaboration with the Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) on 8 August 2025. The prestigious panel consisted of Ms Sue Smailes, 2024 SRC Vice President, Bukho Gwayana, and the President of the South African Women’s Legal Association, Ms Noluyolo Mabuza, with the conversation facilitated by Hlumelo Witbooi. The panel of leaders focused on the hardships of being a woman, particularly in the workplace, gender disparities within the workplace, and the experiences of women in student leadership.

The Women’s Talk in celebration of National Women’s Day. Photo from ABSIP Rhodes University Student Chapter

On 9 August 1956, 20,000 women of diverse ethnic groups and backgrounds, led by the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW), marched to the Union Building in Pretoria to defy the pass laws enforced by the Apartheid government. The march was a revolutionary moment in South African history, showing the power and impact women can create and ultimately rejecting societal expectations projected onto women. National Women’s Day in South Africa was first celebrated in 1995, post- Apartheid, and was announced as a national holiday commemorating the resilient women who remained unshaken by the government’s intimidation tactics. The holiday has now become a moment of reflection, looking at the progress made without forgetting to acknowledge the struggles and injustices women continue to face in the modern and democratic South Africa we live in today. National Women’s Day has also become a moment of celebration, giving women the opportunity to celebrate each other, speak up about their experiences, and share with those in similar situations.

In times when some feel silenced and unseen, the month of August alleviates some of those burdens for many. The Women’s Table Talk initiated dialogue that inspired, engaged, and reflected the realities of several women, as evidenced in the eager participation in the discourse and unison hums of agreement to relatable statements. From impactful speeches to groovy performances, the event was empowering, elegant, and multifaceted, truly embracing all that Women’s Month is.

The panel delved into a variety of issues, speaking openly about personal challenges and the adversity women continue to face in a professional setting. They emphasized the importance of sisterhood, working as a collective, access to equal opportunities, and breaking stereotypes.

Noluyolo Mabuza spoke candidly about the concept of feminism, addressing its misconceptions and negative connotations, stating, “Feminism does not say we want to be better than men. We want equal opportunities in a patriarchal system.” She went on to say that feminists are often regarded as angry and reactive women in our society. She firmly stated, “That is reactive anger to years of oppression.”

Ms Sue Smailes spoke about the importance of being firm in your stance and objective. Coming from male-dominated fields such as sports, she had firsthand experience in being undermined, and, similarly to Noluyolo Mabuza, reiterated the importance of knowing what you stand for, knowing your worth, and working towards set goals to not drown in the sea of intimidation and patriarchal norms. Noluyolo Mabuza spoke about the challenges of leading a student chapter as a team of all women in a male-dominated field, often being regarded as a “girls’ party.” She candidly stated, “You have to be twice as good to have half of what men have.”

The panel looked at the difficulties of having one’s authority questioned due to their gender. The 2024 SRC Vice President, Bukho Gwayana, shared her experience in office, stating that there were moments when she had to solely make swift, final decisions due to slow progression and was perceived as “controlling,” stating, “You don’t lead based on noise, you lead based on what people need.”

The Women’s Table Talk organised by the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP).

The Women’s Table Talk proved how far we have come and how much further we still have to go as a society. The talk reiterated that conversations surrounding feminism and proving that women's empowerment should not be limited to a month, but should be a constant and unconscious practice.