During the struggle, women proved that they were a force to be reckoned with. Their dedication and commitment made South Africa what it is today. Therefore, celebrating Women's Day is a way of saying thank you for being there when the nation needed you. Thank you for looking after us. Thank you for being pillars of strength. Thank you for being true patriots.

During the struggle, women proved that they were a force to be reckoned with. Their dedication and commitment made South Africa what it is today. Therefore, celebrating Women's Day is a way of saying thank you for being there when the nation needed you. Thank you for looking after us. Thank you for being pillars of strength. Thank you for being true patriots.

Who will ever forget the revolutionary Lillian Ngoyi who led the women's march to the Union Buildings against the pass laws in 1956?

I had the privilege to be at the Women's Day celebrations in Indonesia in 2005. It was truly amazing to meet women who shared the same dream.

What is also significant about the day is that we recognise the great strides already made to improve the lives of South African women.

Granted, we still have cases of women being abused, raped, oppressed and exploited. But most South Africans are willing to fight these evils.

We must honour all women and men who strive for justice, dignity and equal opportunities for all women.

Our government has also been working tirelessly to bridge the gender gap in both the public and private sectors. And the significant increase in the number of women MPs in parliament also shows that women are at last being taken seriously in our democratic country.

Singabakho Nxumalo, Johannesburg