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Chikunga pays tribute to liberation struggle stalwart Gertrude Shope

sanews.gov.za · 4h · first reportShare

Chikunga pays tribute to liberation struggle stalwart Gertrude Shope Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has described liberation struggle stalwart Gertrude Ntiti Shope as a towering figure whose contribution to South Africa’s freedom and women’s empowerment continues to shape the country. Chikunga was delivering the keynote address at the Gertrude Ntiti Shope Memorial Lecture, held at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Saturday, where she honoured Shope’s lifelong contribution to the liberation struggle and reflected on the lessons her life holds for current and future generations. Chikunga noted that the memorial lecture was particularly significant in 2026, as South Africa marks 70 years since the historic 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings, when 20 000 women united against apartheid pass laws. She said Shope’s life was a powerful illustration of this year’s Women’s Month and Platinum Jubilee Year theme: “Empowered Women, Empo