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Members of UKZN’s College of Law and Management Studies put their green fingers to work to honour Helen Joseph, Lilian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa, Albertina Sisulu and Sophia Wiliams-De Bruyn who led the march of 20 000 women to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956.
On the balmy last day of August, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian McArthur, third-year Law student and CLMS SRC Representative Mr Bathandwa Mki, School of Law lecturer Advocate Victoria Balogun, and final-year Law student and President of UNICEF-UKZN PMB Ms Juhi Hansraj planted a feature garden and installed a commemorative plaque on the Westville campus. Where two aloes once stood alone, they are now joined by a host of indigenous flora, including Agapanthus, Dianthus, Sunpatiens and Chlorophytum Comosum.
The brainchild of Mki, the initiative sends a message to the world that women’s rights are human rights.
‘Today we commemorate the women of 1956. It is their refusal to smile at the face of injustice that we remember. It is their commitment to work towards a society that prides itself in the provision of justice, regardless of race, gender or class. There is no doubt that South Africa and the world stand in awe of their bravery,’ said Mki.
Hunsraj added, ‘Today we plant this bed of flowers in recognition of all women who suffered because of GBV and who are still being plagued by it. I pray that as these flowers develop and grow branches, so too will our country develop and grow its laws to further hold accountable those found guilty of GBV. Just as the roots of these flowers will strengthen and nourish their growth, so too will our unity and support for one another as women grow and strengthen our fight to bring this scourge to an end.’
McArthur thanked those involved and reiterated the significance of the initiative: ‘As we step into the warm spring season, may the spirit of the Women’s March continue to bless us, and bloom in the landscape of UKZN as we support our women and girls to achieve their greatness… together we can achieve anything.’
The College invites staff and students to visit the garden outside the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Office at J-Block on the Westville Campus.
Listen to the messages from McArthur, Hunsraj and Mki here.
Words: Rakshika Sibran
Photographs: Supplied