By Nangamso Mabindla
8 March 2006

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was in Buffalo City on Wednesday, 8 March to take part in celebrations marking International Women's Day.

The event, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Women's March to Pretoria, was also attended by the Speaker of the provincial legislature, Noxolo Kiviet, as well as MECs and prominent businesswomen.

Speaking at the event, Mlambo-Ngcuka said people should unite to fight against women abuse and discrimination.

"We need to practice this within the family before tackling it nationally. Homes should be a safe zone for women. I encourage men to put an end to abuse in their own homes," Mlambo-Ngcuka said.

She also paid tribute to the women who lost their lives fighting for liberation. "These people were fighting for the freedom we have today. We need to salute them and learn lessons from their courage and determination."

Women from all walks of life were urged to come together to take action. "Abuse knows no colour, that is why we need to work as a unit."

Mlambo-Ngcuka also urged women to start playing a meaningful role in leadership throughout the country, a call echoed by the province's Speaker.

"We already have a woman deputy president in our country; a woman president in Africa (Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia); and a woman premier in our province (Nosimo Balindlela): so we do see that the struggle of women in the past was not in vein," said Kiviet.

She too paid tribute to the women who made International Women's Day a reality.