Women from across the West Coast shared what Women’s Day means to them, why they believe women play such an important role in society, and the women who have inspired their own journeys.

While each story is unique, the common thread is resilience, compassion, sacrifice and the power of women to uplift families, communities and future generations.

In celebration of Women’s Day, (Sundag 9 August), Weslander asked local women to reflect on the day’s significance and honour the women who have helped shape their lives.

Rusinda Demas – “Vrouedag herinner my aan my waarde as vrou en dat ons met respek, liefde en omgee behandel moet word. Vroue vervul baie rolle – as ma, versorger en ondersteuner – daarom is ons plek in die samelewing so belangrik. My grootste inspirasie is my ma. Haar streng, maar liefdevolle grootmaak het my gevorm tot die mens wat ek vandag is, en daarvoor sal ek altyd dankbaar wees.”

Esmarelda Mckay: “Vrouedag herinner my aan wat vroue kan vermag wanneer ons saamstaan en mekaar ondersteun. Vroue is die hoeksteen van ons gemeenskappe – wanneer ‘n vrou bemagtig word, word ‘n gesin en gemeenskap saam versterk. My grootste inspirasie is Lucinda Evans, wat my aangemoedig het om my stem teen geslagsgebaseerde geweld harder te laat hoor en my gehelp het om weer met selfvertroue my roeping uit te leef.”

Trish Goosen: “Vrouedag herinner my daaraan dat elke vrou met ‘n doel geskape is en gee erkenning aan die krag, moed en omgee waarmee vroue elke dag ‘n verskil maak. Vroue bou gesinne, versterk gemeenskappe en bring hoop waar dit die nodigste is. Ek is deur verskeie vroue geïnspireer, veral my ma, my vriendin Zurika van Wyk en Chrisna du Plessis van Siyabonga, wie se geloof en onbaatsugtige diens my motiveer om my eie roeping uit te leef.”

Vigeniëa Payne: “Vrouedag is my dag om myself te bederf, tyd saam met ander vroue deur te bring en net myself te wees. Vroue is die vertrouelinge, raadgewers en steunpilare van gesinne en gemeenskappe – en dikwels die dryfkrag agter ander se sukses. My grootste inspirasie is my ma, Wendy Constable, maar ook my susters Monica van Rooyen, Berndene Fredericks en Petro Swartz, asook my dogter, Melissa Smit. Elkeen inspireer my daagliks deur hul onselfsugtigheid, geloof, deursettingsvermoë en omgee vir ander.”

Natasha Tolken Smit: “Vroue is die gom wat gesinne bymekaar hou. Ons vervul talle rolle – as ma, vriendin, versorger, werker en dikwels ook broodwinner. Vandag dra baie vroue al die verantwoordelikhede van ’n huishouding. My grootste inspirasie is my ma, wat vier dogters met liefde en toewyding grootgemaak het. Vir my maak elke nederige vrou, ongeag haar omstandighede, ’n verskil in haar gemeenskap.”

Nasiphi Pasiya: “Women’s Day reminds me of the journey towards gender equality and that every woman has the potential to create positive change. Women play a vital role by advocating for social change, influencing future generations, and shaping new narratives. My greatest inspiration is Shonda Rhimes, who, as a black woman, broke barriers in the media and communications industry and has shown how storytelling can educate and inspire people.”

Ezile Jakalase Mcaba: “Women’s Day reminds me that every woman has the power to rise above her circumstances and inspire change. As founder of Getting Real with Women to Women (GRWW), I see every day how empowered women empower others and strengthen their communities. The woman who inspires me most is my late aunt, Maxaba, whose resilience, faith and unconditional love shaped who I am today. She dedicated her life to raising children and serving her community, and her example continues to inspire my commitment to uplifting other women.”

Nosipho Lisa: “Women’s Day is a time to honour the women who shaped history and to celebrate the role women play as the givers and nurturers of life. Women bring love, care and strength to families and communities in ways no one else can. My greatest inspiration is my mother, who raised five children on her own after my father passed away. Her sacrifices, unconditional love and resilience made us who we are today, and she will always be my superhero.”