# South African Women’s March 70th anniversary commemorations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-womens-march-70th-anniversary-commemorations > Updated: 2026-08-15T09:19:06.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March, veteran anti-apartheid activist Sophia Williams-De Bruyn addressed gatherings at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. De Bruyn highlighted a “painful paradox” in South Africa, noting that while apartheid-era oppression has ended, women now face modern threats such as gender-based violence (GBV), corruption, poverty, and systemic inequality. De Bruyn criticized the current state of security for women, stating, “We fought to banish the pass laws, yet today our women are prisoners in their own homes.” She called for “bold, honest and accountable leadership” to address corruption and urged the youth to use their voices and votes to combat unemployment and homelessness. The event, themed ‘Empowered Women, Empower Nations’, also featured Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who praised the legacy of South African women’s resistance against racial and patriarchal oppression. The commemoration honored historical figures including Charlotte Maxeke, Albertina Sisulu, and Lilian Ngoyi. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-15: Sophie de Bruyn calls for action against corruption and violence At the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March, activist Sophie de Bruyn called for action against corruption and gender-based violence in South Africa. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sophie-de-bruyn-calls-for-action-against-corruption-and-violence ### 2026-08-08: Sophia Williams-De Bruyn calls for resistance against modern challenges At the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women's March, activist Sophia Williams-De Bruyn urged women to combat modern challenges like gender-based violence and corruption in South Africa. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sophia-williams-de-bruyn-calls-for-resistance-against-modern-challenges --- Cite as: South African Women’s March 70th anniversary commemorations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-womens-march-70th-anniversary-commemorations