Reflecting on National Women's Day in South Africa 2025 – Petworld

On August 9th, South Africans across the nation come together in remembrance, unity, and reflection on National Women’s Day. It is not just a date on the calendar — it is a profound marker of courage, resilience, and the quiet strength that shapes our society in visible and invisible ways.

This day commemorates the monumental 1956 march, when over 20,000 women of all backgrounds gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Their message was clear: they opposed the unjust pass laws that restricted the movement of Black South Africans under apartheid. Their protest was dignified and determined. Their resistance was powerful — not in volume, but in unwavering purpose.

They marched in silence.
And then they sang.
"You strike a woman, you strike a rock."

This phrase continues to echo across generations, reminding us that strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it whispers through everyday acts of care, through consistency, and through the kind of leadership that asks for no recognition — but leaves a lasting legacy.

The Power of Quiet Leadership

Today, this inspiring commemoration invites us to reflect on the many ways women continue to lead — often quietly, often behind the scenes, and often without acclaim.

These are the women who raise families, lead their communities and bring empathy into places where it is most needed. Their strength lies not in spotlight moments, but in daily choices: to care, to guide, to protect, to heal. Their leadership is seen in how they show up for others — for children, partners, neighbours, and yes, even animals.

Their nurturing, patience, and emotional intelligence become forces of stability and love, building the foundation of a more caring world.

At Petworld, we recognise this kind of strength. We see it in the faces of women who walk through our stores — sometimes with children in tow, often with a dog leash in one hand and a shopping list in the other. We see it in the gentle way they care for their pets, choosing food with thoughtfulness, asking about the right toys, or talking to our staff about health concerns with quiet determination.

This is leadership — expressed through love, not loudness.

Nurturing as Strength

The word “nurture” is often associated with softness — but at its heart, nurturing is one of the strongest acts a person can commit to. It means giving of yourself. It means choosing patience over convenience. It means standing steady through storms, quietly ensuring others feel safe, seen, and valued.

For many women across South Africa, nurturing is a full-time, unpaid role — one that doesn’t pause for weekends or recognition. Whether they are caregivers for children, elders, partners, or pets, they carry immense emotional and mental loads.

In pet parenthood especially, nurturing often reveals itself in small, beautiful ways: a hand gently placing a blanket over a sleeping pup; a routine of early-morning walks in winter; a whispered reassurance during a vet visit. These acts are not dramatic. But they are profound.

Women lead in these spaces — as protectors, educators, and emotional anchors. It’s not the kind of leadership that ends up in headlines, but it shapes lives nonetheless. And in that way, it echoes the legacy of the women who marched in 1956: quietly, courageously, with purpose rooted in love.

Everyday Heroines in Homes and Communities

Across every province, from cities to townships to rural farms, there are women making a difference in the lives of animals — and, through them, making a difference in the lives of people. Some run small rescue operations. Others feed strays in their neighbourhoods. Many open their hearts and homes to pets who need a second chance.

Most of these women will never call themselves leaders. They’ll say, “I’m just doing what anyone would do.” But that’s precisely the point. Quiet strength doesn’t seek recognition. It simply moves forward, one act of care at a time.

Petworld honours these women — not with campaigns or fanfare, but with gratitude and reverence. They remind us that love is a leadership language of its own.

A Day of Reflection, A Month of Honour in South Africa

As Women’s Month unfolds in South Africa, National Women’s Day stands as a focal point for both remembrance and gratitude. It’s a time to honour not only the historic courage of the 1956 marchers but also the countless women today who, through their nurturing spirit, continue to shape this country in meaningful ways.

For those of us who are pet parents, this reflection is deeply personal. We understand what it means to care without condition. To give without expectation. To offer presence and protection to those who rely on us.

In celebrating women today, we honour this bond — between humans and animals, between leadership and love, between past and present.

National Women's Day: In Stillness, There Is Strength

The women who marched to the Union Buildings did so without shouting. They handed over petitions filled with over 100,000 signatures, stood in silence for thirty minutes, and then sang together in unity. Their stillness was not weakness — it was resolve.

That same spirit lives on today in the hands of women who kneel to feed a stray, who stay up through the night nursing a sick pet, or who use their voice to advocate for a better life for the voiceless.

At Petworld, we believe that these moments matter. They build homes. They build communities. They build a kinder country.

A Message from Petworld

To all the women of South Africa: we see you. We honour your journey, your strength, your nurturing, and your quiet acts of love.

Whether you are a pet parent, a caregiver, a community leader, or all three — your presence is powerful. You are part of a legacy of women who lead not only by words, but by example.

This National Women’s Day, we pause to remember. To reflect. To give thanks.