On long weekends and women

Hey! It's a long weekend ahead! Friday is National Woman's Day in South Africa.

Women. If you think of your own life you will know the tremendous role that women played in shaping who and what you are. Picture your mothers and grandmothers, who made you feel loved and made you believe that this world had a place just for you. And then the early girlfriends who seriously challenged that notion! Then there were others whose hearts you broke, and now, your whole day can still take its cue from spouse or partner, daughter or sister.

Think of humanity's story. Where are the women? The support was there, but women in its history have a more obscure role. How many female prime ministers, presidents and CEOs were you aware of 10 years ago? And today?

National Woman's Day has its origin in South African history when some twenty thousand women marched on the union buildings to protest against the Pass Laws in 1956, on the 9 August. This Friday we will know that legislated Apartheid might be over, but many other struggles remain. Poverty or being dominated by another person might affect all human beings alike, but when you are a women common struggles like these take on potentially more devastating and terrifying consequences.

Women is a chapter in the National Issues section of The Agri Handbook.

To our women everywhere, here's to you. We think of you and remember you with thanks.