Women’s Day and B-BBEE: Honouring the Past, Empowering the Future
When I think about Women’s Day, I am reminded of the remarkable influence women have on society – at home, in the workplace, and across our communities.
On 9 August 1956, more than 20,000 women of all races marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the pass laws that required Black South Africans to carry a passbook to justify their presence in “white only” areas.
Led by iconic figures like Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, the women handed over petitions signed by thousands of South Africans. They stood in silence for 30 minutes before concluding their protest with the now-famous words:
“Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo!”
(“You strike a woman, you strike a rock!”)
This was a defining moment in South African history – demonstrating that women are leaders, catalysts for change, and nation-builders. Their bravery laid the foundation for future generations to challenge injustice and fight for inclusion.
Today, B-BBEE is one of the tools available to continue this work – especially in redressing economic inequality faced by black women.
The B-BBEE Scorecard and Women
The B-BBEE framework is structured to recognize and uplift black women across various elements, with over 35 direct points potentially earned through their participation:
- Ownership: Bonus points for black women shareholders
- Management Control: Focus on black female executives and directors
- Skills Development: Additional recognition for training black women
- Supplier Development: Prioritizing black women-owned businesses
While this focus is vital, it does not diminish the value of women of other races—it acknowledges the historical and structural barriers black women have faced and seeks to level the playing field.
Beyond Compliance: Honoring All Women
The women of 1956 came from all walks of life – united by a shared vision of justice and dignity.
Real transformation is not only about scorecards. It’s about recognizing the value of every woman, regardless of race, background, or role.
Whether as entrepreneurs, executives, educators, creatives, caregivers, or stay-at-home moms—women shape the moral, cultural, and economic fabric of South Africa.
When we create space for every woman to participate meaningfully, we all benefit.
At Elevate Advisory, we help businesses unlock the full potential of B-BBEE—not just for compliance, but for meaningful change.
Visit us at www.elevateadvisory.co.za
Or reach out via #ElevateAdvisory for more on how we support inclusive growth through strategic B-BBEE solutions.
Let’s continue to promote the growth, inclusion, and advancement of women in every sector—and honor the many ways they lead, nurture, and build.
Happy Women’s Day!