National Women's Day: Do South Africans get a day off?
Well, since the 9th of August falls on a Saturday this year, it seems South Africans are out of luck.
According to the Public Holidays Act (Act No. 36 of 1994), when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a day off. However, if the holiday falls on a Saturday, it is treated as part of the regular weekend.
Despite this bad luck, National Women's Day is still a significantly important holiday in South Africa.
Observed annually on 9 August, commemorates the 1956 march of over 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
These women, led by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, stood united against the apartheid government's pass laws – a defining moment in South Africa's struggle for equality and women's rights.
The day is not only symbolic of the sacrifices made but also serves as a time to reflect on the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in the fight for gender equality.
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