As we approach the historic commemorations of the sacrifices of the generation of 1976, I cannot help but think of what I should say to the young women of today as we take a leaf from the girls of 1976.

The 1976 youth generation is now mostly in their 50s and 60s. I write this knowing that you face lots of challenges, some of which the 1976 group did not confront.

For example, in 1976 there was no nyaope, HIV was not heard of and television started to broadcast in South Africa that year.

The drug that young people were warned against was dagga.

Also read: Today's youth have varied trials and expectations

Then there was no pressure of having airtime because there were no cellphones.

In fact, very few black homes had land-line telephones. It was not fashionable to boast of "an airtime blesser" at the time either.

I write to ask that you spare a thought to appreciate what they went through in order for you to be where you are today.

The class of 1976 stood up to reclaim its dignity as black students in a context that wanted to dehumanise them and to make blackness a curse.

So, never allow anyone to dehumanise you for who you are. Be proud of yourself, your identity and your Africanness. Africanness in South Africa is defined as non-sexist, non-racial identity where the constitution is supreme, where your dignity will not be harmed and where as citizens you enjoy rights, freedoms and privileges while accepting the responsibilities that go with being a citizen.

Be proud to be a girl child with albinism. No one has a right to define you outside of the constitution. That you are a woman and girl child does not define you as a lesser being. You are created in the image of the supreme creator and no human should reduce you to anything less than that.

You hold half the sky!

In 1976 they dared to speak up and speak truth to powers that brought guns and armoured vehicles in an effort to silence them when they were simply putting their offering of what a just society should be like.

For that some dropped out of school, were killed, were imprisoned, banned and left their homes. So girls, find your voices, speak up. Don't look away when injustice is inflicted on any of your human beings, especially the voiceless . do not be silenced even by those who want to use their power over your African bodies.

Choose educational opportunities that will also make you an innovator, a creator and a provider of job opportunities to others.

Dream big!

Remember, the world you live in is complicated and very different from the world of 1976. Then we did not even have a fax machine. We had typewriters. So prepare yourself for this new world where at a press of a button you can speak to a girl child [abroad].

Education is core to your understanding of self and the world. Empower yourself with knowledge at all times! Do not assume that there will be a man or partner out there who will feed and provide for your needs.

As the 1976 pioneer girls were marching and struggling, they were still grappling with patriarchy that wanted to reduce them to lesser beings as girls. They refused, hence some consciously even chose to be soldiers in the liberation movements.

Just when the African sky and sun is up through the freedom we got in 1994, we now observe that your bodies are again becoming a site of struggle, people deciding what you can and cannot access on the basis on your sex.

We now want to marry you off to big men before you are ready, we want to explore your bodies for fun without your consent or out of our own anger with ourselves, before giving you financial assistance for education. So-called good Samaritans) now want to sleep with you. Some even want you to prove that you are a virgin before you can get a bursary.

The class of 1976 also reminded us of the connectedness of Africa, and when they felt unloved and in danger from the country of their birth they went to their siblings in the Diaspora to find solace and to re-strategise.

They taught us that South Africa is in Africa. Therefore, don't keep quiet when the Chibok girls of Nigeria are taken away from schools and from loving arms and security of their families into the forests and deflowered.

Remember, what you do today is building for the next generation. So my daughters and granddaughters, the classes before you - like the women of 1956 - took you this far, it is now for you to carry the country to the next level.

Hold tight to the constitution. Read the preamble and ask yourselves as the generation of girls of 2016, what legacy will you leave for our next girls. lMpumlwana is Commission for Gender Equality's deputy chair