This is a speech delivered by 6th former, Matt van Rooyen at the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business hosted in Maritzburg College’s Alan Paton Memorial Hall on Friday 4 August
Good morning distinguished guests and members of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business. It is with great honour and pride that I am able to speak on the significance of Women and Women’s Day. I thank you so much for this opportunity you have given me- I really appreciate it.
Women have always formed such an integral part of my life, and what better way to start off than with those who made it so special for me. Oprah Winfrey once said: “Your life gets better when you can find a way to share it with someone else.” For me- this would definitely be my mom and my eldest sister. They have been there for me when I was at the lowest points in my life.
Whenever I would fall, they were there. When I failed, they stood by me. And when I disappointed them, they reminded me that I’m not a disappointment. Their love for me always prevailed over every time I was unloving towards them. Their love never failed me- even when I failed them.
And although my mom can get a little over-protective whenever someone would tackle me on the rugby field and even though she can embarrass me in front of all of my friends, I know she does it out of the goodness in her heart and at the end of the day, she just wants what’s best for me. She has always shown me such true, unconditional love.
But as time has changed so has the role of men and women within society.
Women’s Day goes far beyond just highlighting the struggles and challenges that women face. It is about honouring the trailblazers who have broken down the barriers and paved the path for future generations of women to succeed. It is a time to recognise the everyday heroes, such as Maya Angelou and Melinda Gates, who put one foot in front of the other and stood up for all women- both past and present. It is a time to represent the 20 000 women who so courageously gave of their time, marching towards the Union Buildings on the 9th of August 1956.
I recall reading on a cardboard cut-out the once that “Every time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.”
And as it reads in Maya Angelou’s notorious poem:
“You may write me down in history
With your twisted, bitter lies.
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I rise.”
So, rise in adversity. Rise in the challenges. As JF Kennedy once said: “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each one of us can work to change a small portion of each event.” Therefore, be the change that you want to see in the world. And although I’ll never truly understand what women have to go through, each and every single day, I do understand what women have done for me in my life and what women have done for society as a whole.
Thank you.