On the 23rd of August 2025, Tusimame Wanawake and the MARs Youth Movement hosted a Women’s Day Dialogue High Tea, which brought together a powerful circle of refugee, migrant, and South African women. The event created a vital space for intergenerational conversation rooted in the enduring legacy of the 1956 Women’s March. The goal was clear yet profound: to bridge the cultural and generational divides that often separate us, to promote empathy, and to empower every attendee to become a changemaker in her own community.
There were 70 people in attendance from various organisations such as representatives from Africa Unite, Thuthuzela Karl Bremer hospital, Renaissance Counselling Services, Angel Community Outreach, Koopman Legacy group, Contralesa and Lorrainem Consulting, Bulelwa Basse Services (Pty) Ltd, Somali Association of South Africa, and the Voice of the Cape.
Mrs. Itumeleng Maduwa from the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture didn’t just open our dialogue—she set its heart and soul. Honoring the legacy of the 1956 Women’s March, her powerful speech was a call to action. She reminded us that the work started by previous generations is far from finished, and that our fight against patriarchy and inequality requires both patience and unwavering unity.
She spoke to the incredible strength of women who carry countless responsibilities, yet still drive our economy, shape our policies, and build our society. Perhaps her most poignant question was one she left with all of us: How do we bridge the generational divide? Her answer was clear: by making sure every woman’s voice, from every generation, is not just heard, but lifted up and empowered.
The Heart of the Dialogue: Honest Conversations
The core of the afternoon was spent in rich, exploratory dialogue sessions. Women of all ages bravely tackled pressing themes:
- Navigating the Intergenerational Divide: We acknowledged the friction but, more importantly, uncovered a fertile ground for mutual learning between older women safeguarding tradition and younger women navigating autonomy and equality.
- Cultural Identity in a Modern World: Participants explored how to honour a rich cultural heritage while embracing progress, particularly in parenting, representation, and redefining gender roles.
- The Dual Power of Empowerment: A resonant theme emerged: the necessity of “putting yourself first” while drawing strength from the collective power of sisterhood and allyship.
- Technology’s Double-Edged Sword: The discussion honestly addressed how digital life can both connect us and create isolation, urging a more intentional engagement with our cultural roots.
Key Takeaways for a Shared Future
The plenary summary, powerfully captured the day’s consensus:
- Understanding our history is essential to shaping our future.
- We must collectively commit to protecting and uplifting the girl child.
- The conversation on gender equality must include the boy child to foster respect and understanding from an early age.
- We must navigate modern identity with dignity, leveraging technology wisely while staying grounded in our values.
After closing remarks from the Tusimame Wanawake Coordinator, Mrs Tolu George, who expressed deep gratitude to all contributors, the dialogue continued over a networking lunch, allowing new connections to solidify and plans for collaboration to blossom.
