Veteran of Womens March Leads Western Cape Provincial Parliament's Celebrations Half a Century Later

Ms. Sophie Williams-du Bruyn, one of the women at the forefront of the women marching to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against passbooks 50 years ago, will be a guest speaker at the Western Cape Provincial Parliament's (WCPP) celebration of that historic occasion.

The WCPP has a special women's parliament in Caledon on Tuesday the 22 August 2006 and an extraordinary sitting outside of Cape Town that will be attended by all WCPP Members.

It is only the second official plenary session since 1994 that is not held in the Cape Town parliamentary precinct. The previous formal meeting outside of the precinct was in George.

Williams-du Bruyn is the present deputy speaker of the Gauteng Legislature.

At a gala dinner on the eve of the sitting (Monday 21 August 2006) in Caledon various women will be honoured during an award ceremony where Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool will pay tribute to the work of women.

About 500 women from the province will come together for the women's parliament. At least six provincial government departments will present briefings on gender issues to the guests.

The women will then choose a representative to deliver a declaration and address the WCPP at its plenary session. This is an open meeting to the public, and the women will also be able to witness how their parliament conducts its business.

Western Cape Provincial Speaker Mr. Shaun Byneveldt says: "This sitting is significant as we are still in National Women's Month celebrations. We will pay special attention to issues that affects our mothers and daughters."

The formal sitting starts at 14:15 on Tuesday 22 August 2006 in Caledon's Victoria Hall.

---

Issued by:
Office of the Speaker