We are celebrating a century of heroic struggles by the women of our country, including Charlotte Maxeke, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophie de Bruyn, Albertina Sisulu, Ruth Mompati, Dorothy Nyembe and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who represent and embody the hundred years of a relentless forward march to total emancipation, equality, justice and democracy. Unarmed and defenceless, they challenged the might and brutality of successive oppressive regimes in order to ensure that future generations live in a South Africa that truly belongs to all. We are grateful for their sacrifices and inspired by their courage, and will carry the baton onwards to equality, employment and poverty eradication.