And honour the incredible strength, resilience, and contributions of women.
Being a woman in today’s world is both powerful and delicate. We’re strong, yet we carry a fragility—a vulnerability that binds us together, we have true heart.
On August 9th, South Africa celebrates Woman’s Day—a day to reflect on our journey, our victories, and the road ahead. It’s more than just a date; it’s a campaign—an invitation to invest in ourselves. We deserve a break from the relentless toughness we often carry.
For decades, women have fought for recognition, equal pay, and the right to compete. Our relentlessness has paid off. On July 20th, we witnessed history being made when Hollie Davidson became the first woman to referee the Springboks in a test match.
Women competed for the first time at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris. Of a total of 997 athletes, 22 women competed in five sports. Fast-forward to 2024, which will be the first Olympics in history to achieve numerical gender parity, with an equal number of female and male athletes participating in the largest sporting event in the world.
With all these barriers we are breaking, we have also begun to recognise the importance of being off guard and showing authenticity.
Women naturally possess a unique ability to empathise, show kindness, feel deeply, and connect with others. We sometimes want and need to be vulnerable and feel cared for, loved, and gorgeous. We thrive on creating beauty.
In a world that sometimes values strength over gentleness, let’s remember that making things pretty and feminine isn’t frivolous. It’s an art—a way of infusing grace into everyday life. Whether we arrange flowers, decorate our homes, or add a touch of elegance to our workplace, we contribute to a more beautiful world.
So, this Women’s Day, let’s be authentic and acknowledge our softness. It’s not a weakness. We play our part in leading the world not just with force but with heart. And in doing so, we make it a little brighter, kinder, and prettier!
Every year I dedicate my Women’s Day blog to my daughter, for her to refer back to year after year as guidance on the strong yet kind woman I would like her to be.