Pretoria - Thousands of women this morning joined hands with Premier David Makhura in a march to the Union Building to commemorate over 20 000 women who marched to the building in 1956 against apartheid legislation.
The event commemorates the women of who took a firm stand against the apartheid government’s legislation which sought to control the movement of black people in urban areas.
It has become an annual event that takes place every Women's Day and attracts thousands of Gauteng women to the capital city. It also takes places in other provinces in the country.
On Thursday morning, at least 60 buses offloaded scores of women and men who convened at the Living Women Monument in the City.
They marched with Makhura to the Union Building, re-enacting the 1956 march.
The crowd was led by well-dressed drum majorettes as they left the inner city in demonstration. They were escorted by numerous police officers and vehicles.
Video: James Mahlokwane/Pretoria News.
The women sang struggle songs and praised the names and female struggle icons such as Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Madikizela Mandela.
The march is was colourful as a majority of the crowd dressed up in the famous Green, Black and Gold of the ANC.
Picture: James Mahlokwane/Pretoria News.
The drum majorettes rocked red, black and white uniform.
Scores of small business operators took advantage of the demonstration and sold various items and food at the Union Building open ground.
Marquee tents have been set up for the official ceremony that will see political figures and influential women dignitaries deliver powerful and emotive speeches.
The women in the crowd said they couldn't wait to hear what the speakers would say about women and child abuse occurrences that rocked South Africa recently.
Earlier this month, scores of furious women marched to the union building demanding government to intervene and protect its women and children.
This Women's March is also being celebrated in other provinces such as Mpumalanga and the Western Cape.
Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni will deliver a keynote address in the province, while President Cyril Ramaphosa will headline the Cape Town event.