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SA singers talk Women's Day

Cape Town - National Women's Day, celebrated on August 9, commemorates 1956's national march of women to petition against legislation which required black people to carry the "pass" (special ID documents that curtailed freedom of movement during the apartheid era).

Some of South Africa's leading local female singers offered their thoughts on this day to Channel24.

"I believe that women are celebrated every day, but to give a national women's day is really special as it marks how far we have come and how much South Africa is changing," explains well-known Afro-jazz singer Judith Sephuma, who has just released her new CD, I Am Living Testimony.

"Women are now appreciated as we experience so much and this make us feel really worth it. For a change we are not being reminded of the negative around womanhood, but we are celebrated for the good that woman does."

Afrikaans singer Chrizaan agrees with Judith. "Judith summed it up beautifully. All I can add is that if you look at the history of National Women's Day and what it's really about, what the women of this country were obligated to do, and what they've achieved."

The Flooze

"The goal to strive for women's rights, courage and strength. I fully support their motivation and the success of their achievements." To celebrate the day, Chrizaan is doing a motivational show in Potchefstroon with a number of women to "celebrate women's rights and the day".

For Judith as well it will be a working day, but it's something she is looking forward to. "I'll be doing a guest appearance at Micheal Bolton's concert at Carnival City, it's a women's celebration concert."

Mango Groove singer Claire Johnston believes that celebrating the day is a good thing "insofar as it gets us all thinking about the vital roles women play in all areas of life, but it needs to extend beyond a day, or even a month".

Actress and singer Sorina Erasmus, better known to 7de Laan fans as the Flooze from Witbank, also believes that there shouldn't be just one day to celebrate women, it "should be done every day of our lives. The special day should remind people to treat the women of the country with respect as it will result in a blessed country."

Soulful jazz singer Laurie Levine, who had just performed at the past Oppikoppi Unknown Brother Music Festival, told us that the day should remind everyone of the inequalities and wrongs of the past and that "we are living in a different world now where women have voices".

Judith sums up the day beautifully and the message it holds for all women in South Africa: "I believe it's not easy to be a woman, but because you are a woman – we have an amazing strength to overcome, the patience to understand even when we shouldn't.  Let's stand together by supporting one another in any way we can. Be proud to be a woman."

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