The women leaders of the Madlanga Commission show great valour amid treacherous and hostile circumstances, demonstrating a resolute determination in pursuit of truth. By emulating the courage displayed by the women who opposed apartheid seven decades ago, they are now bravely dealing with the corruption within the criminal justice system, says the writer.
In August, South Africans are once more celebrating the anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March. On that occasion, about 20,000 women assembled to protest against the extension of the pass laws to black women and presented their petitions to the office of Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom.
The slogan they shouted, "wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo", which translates as "you strike a woman, you strike a rock", became a permanent symbol of women's resilience in the country. The bravery of those marchers now finds its contemporary echo in the women of the Madlanga Commission.
It is not surprising that some people are sceptical about the Madlanga Commission, since South Africa has a well-documented record of commissions that failed to bring about change. Much time and resources have been devoted to previous inquiries, and substantial evidence has been gathered. Unfortunately, their recommendations have often been ignored.
