SAMWU Marks 70 Years Since Historic Women’s March
JOHANNESBURG — The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has marked the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March by calling for a renewed struggle against the systemic challenges still facing women in the workplace and broader society. The union joined millions across the country to commemorate the historic day when 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest apartheid pass laws.
The commemoration follows the successful conclusion of SAMWU’s National Gender Committee meeting, held from 3 to 5 August 2026. During the sessions, women workers assessed the current state of gender equality within the trade union movement and the municipal sector. The union noted that despite the milestones achieved since 1956, women still bear the heaviest burden of unemployment, poverty, and precarious work conditions.
SAMWU leadership emphasized that the struggle for women’s emancipation is inextricably linked to the fight for well-funded municipalities and quality public services. The union argued that when basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity fail, women are disproportionately affected as they often carry the responsibility of sustaining households. The organization highlighted that municipal and water-sector workers, many of whom are women, are currently operating under difficult conditions fueled by austerity measures and understaffing.
The National Gender Committee resolved that gender equality must be integrated into the daily operations of the union rather than being treated as a seasonal issue. A key focus moving forward will be the pursuit of meaningful representation for women in bargaining structures, boards, and other decision-making centers. The union stated that women must contest and occupy leadership spaces to ensure they are at the forefront of their own liberation.
Workplace safety also remains a critical concern for the union, which called for greater accountability from employers regarding gender-based violence and harassment. SAMWU reaffirmed the right of every worker to an environment free from intimidation and committed to addressing patriarchy and sexism within its own internal structures.
The union concluded its commemoration by urging its members and shop stewards to use this 70th anniversary as a catalyst for change. By organizing women workers and defending collective bargaining, the union aims to fulfill the legacy of the 1956 generation, asserting that there can be no liberation for the working class without the full liberation of women.
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