Ambassador Nonceba Losi from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) remarks at the Women's month celebrations held at The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in South Africa

Ambassador Nonceba Losi from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) delivered remarks at the Women's Month Celebrations held at The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in South Africa, expressing appreciation for the event honoring the achievements of women in both South Africa and China. She emphasized the significance of Women's Month in South Africa, commemorating the 1956 Women’s Day March, and highlighting the ongoing struggle against gender inequality. Ambassador Losi acknowledged the critical role women play in various fields, particularly in diplomacy, and praised their contributions to societal and economic progress. Reflecting on the historical and contemporary achievements of women, she called for continued collaboration between China and South Africa, underscoring the importance of people-to-people exchanges in deepening bilateral ties. Read the full remarks below.

Your Excellency, Ambassador Wu Peng of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa,
High Commissioners and Ambassadors
Members of the Diplomatic Community,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your Excellency, allow me to begin my remarks by conveying to you, my appreciation for hosting this important event of honouring the remarkable achievements and the role of women of both South Africa and China.

It is an honour to stand before you and everyone gathered today as we recognise the strength, courage, and passion associated with the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, the contributions of women who have made significant strides in shaping the political climate, our societies, economies, and the future of our nations contributing to the livelihood of our people.

Women’s Month poses an incredible opportunity for our nation to honour and celebrate the women of South Africa. This momentous month is a commemoration of the 1956 Women’s Day March which saw up to 20 000 women of all races take to the streets in protest against the introduction of passes for black women by the then oppressive Apartheid regime. Though immense progress has been made since 1956, women from all walks of life are still subjected to inequalities, both in our communities and our workplaces. The courageous women of 1956 inspired unimaginable change in our nation. They created a path towards gender equality, and it is our responsibility to walk on that path. Their legacy should inspire us all to unite and uplift ourselves and each other. By integrating and strengthening “SHE power” in our daily life, each of us can create a larger platform for the voices of the women in our families, communities and workplaces to be heard and appreciated. Gender inequality is not a mountain, and with the collaborative effort of each South African, it can be moved.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

Women in China and South Africa have long been the backbone of our communities and their contributions in various fields, particularly in diplomacy, have not only propelled their own lives forward but have also brought about transformative change in our countries, regions and the world.

The progress we celebrate today is a testament to the determination and vision set by many courageous women before us – who, whilst in different historical contexts and specific challenges faced by both countries, demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to advancing their rights whilst improving societies.

As we reflect on these past and present achievements, it is also a moment to look forward to the ever-growing bond of friendship between China and South Africa over the years, which has transcended beyond bilateral ties to include regional and multilateral cooperation. It is through events like this that we deepen our understanding and commitment to each other, including between the Embassy and various government departments in Pretoria as espoused in our people-to-people high-level exchange mechanism which emphasises not only the role of youth but the centrality of women as we continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, tourism, agriculture and agro-processing, infrastructure development, energy, manufacturing, digital technologies, education, training, and development amongst others.

Your Excellency

I am confident that those present here today will continue to play a vital role in fostering win-win cooperation and closer engagement between our nations. By supporting and empowering one another, we can build a future where the success of one is shared by all.

In closing, let us continue to champion the cause of women in this year of celebrating the 30th Anniversary of our democracy in South Africa and the 75th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Co-Existence in China, as leaders and change-makers in our journey towards a more equitable and prosperous world.

Thank you.

‍