Today is indeed a significant day. We are celebrating 10 years of democracy. 10 years of reaping the fruits of a historical event, brought about by hard working, visionary and determined women. Today, the Western Cape government is proud to join the rest of South Africa in paying tribute to women who, against all adds, changed the course of history, through their tenacity and determination. They mobilised, formed a united front and jointly marched to face the enemy. 48 years later, women today are still playing that pivotal role in building and mobilising our communities.

As we launch this very important initiative in the Western Cape, we remember the depth of popular resentment towards oppression by the women who marched to the Union Buildings on the 9th of August 1956. This resentment and stance against injustice led to a gigantic protest involving tens of thousands of women from all over the country, led by the likes of Albertina Sisulu, Lilian Ngoyi, Ruth Mompati, Rahima Moosa, Helen Joseph and Sophie De Bruyn, to mention just a few.

In today's society, we, should take lessons from that activism and focus.We should be outraged and bolstered into action when we witness any policy designed to train our women and children to occupy an inferior position in life.

We come from a past that used our racial and ethnic differences to our sow division. A past that has exploited our different religions and cultures to our detriment. We have overcome those hurdles, but the socio-economic challenges that often mean some amongst us go to bed hungry, some live in squalid conditions and some have no means of earning a decent living, those challenges, continue. And nowhere is this reality more evident than in Khayelitsha. And yet, in the midst of that poverty, at our country's third democratic elections recently, the people of Khayelitsha exercised their hope and faith in our government, by giving us a 92% mandate to change their lives.

Indeed we have plans to change their lives. We are busy with the vigorous implementation of these innovative programmes, designed to respond to the dire needs of our people. Only then can we realise our vision of making the Western Cape, a Home For All. A caring and safe Home for all, especially women and children, who despite attaining representation and political freedom, continue to be the most vulnerable of our society.

Our government recognises that the enduring success of the HOME FOR ALL will not be possible without recognising and empowering women. We believe that our 20 deposits, which we have promised to implement in the first 100 days of our administration, will lay a solid foundation for our vision.

The Bambanani Againt Crime Campaign, run by our department of Community Safety, makes it possible for communities and our government to jointly address the plight of women who have been victims of crime and violence.

Recently, the Women in Dialogue was launched and enjoyed much support, drawing women from all walks of life. In the coming weeks, we will work towards launching our own provincial Women in Dialogue. In so doing, we will maintain the momentum of creating the space for women to speak, share and drive initiatives that they recognise as important.

Every year, South Africans take time, during this month, to ponder on an event that has inspired and will continue to inspire women for generations to come. So I invite you all now, to draw lessons from the past, to remember the inspiration that propelled our women leaders into action 48 years ago. I invite you to join our government in building a Home for All, and most importantly, a safe and caring home for our women and children.