As you are aware, August is women’s month, and this gives us an opportunity to reflect deeply on what this means for our country, our communities, and for each of you as young men growing into adulthood.
Women’s Month in South Africa commemorates the bravery of 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to protest against the pass laws that restricted the movement of black South Africans. These women were mothers, daughters, workers and leaders, and they stood up against injustice, not just for themselves, but for the future of South Africa.
They taught us that courage, unity, and dignity are powerful tools for change. However, their fight didn’t end in 1956. It continues today in different forms.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world. Every day, women and girls face threats in their homes, schools, workplaces, and online. This is not just a “women’s issue.” It’s a human issue, and it demands that men take responsibility.
Gender Based Violence is not just about physical harm. It’s about power, control, and silence. To remain silent knowing that a woman or girl is experiencing abuse is inexcusable. At Maritzburg College we work hard to instil values such as courage, respect and integrity, and we need young men such as you to unite and to stand up against these crimes.
In South Africa, over 60% of children grow up in single-parent households, and most of these are headed by women. Strong, courageous and loving women, who carry the weight of parenting, providing, and protecting their families, and they often do so without support.
I appeal to you as young men, to think about the kind of fathers, brothers, and partners you want to be.
We live in a digital age where ideas about masculinity are shaped by social media, celebrities and influencers. Some of these messages promote strength, resilience, and leadership, but others promote dominance, aggression, and entitlement. They perpetuate the myth that showing emotion is weakness, that control is power, and that women are objects.
Being a man is not about suppressing your feelings or asserting control. It’s about respect, empathy, and accountability.
So, what can you do as the boys of College?
- You can listen: You can really hear and acknowledge the voices of women in your life.
- You can speak up: Challenge sexist jokes, harmful behaviour, and online hate.
- You can support: Be an ally. Stand with women and girls, not just during Women’s Month, but always.
- You can reflect: Ask yourself, what kind of man do I want to be?
Women’s Month is not just about celebrating women; it’s about honouring their struggles and committing to change. As young men, you have the power to shape a future where women are safe, respected, and valued. You can be the generation that breaks cycles, not the one that continues them. You must be the generation that heals, uplifts, and transforms.
Mrs J Finnie
Senior Deputy Headmaster: Academics