South African Women for Women honours Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at 10th annual awards ceremony

TORONTO: August 15, 2006

South African Women for Women (SAWW) marks its tenth anniversary with its annual awards gala, featuring a special keynote address by South African activist and SAWW award winner Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. The awards gala takes place September 16, 2006 at 6:00PM at MaRS Discovery Centre, 101 College Street.

The event will be hosted by the international award-winning entrepreneur, highly acclaimed talk show host, sought after public speaker, author and role model, Dr. Felicia Mabuza-Shuttle. She was recently appointed the president, South African Tourism USA, where she overseas tourism for South Africa in the United States.

This year marks not only the tenth anniversary of SAWW in Canada, but also the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March in South Africa. South African government has announced a year-long program of activities to commemorate this anniversary. President Mbeki has declared that the year 2006 heralds “an age of hope.”

For the past ten years, SAWW has honoured distinguished women from all segments of the community. These women raise awareness of inequity, poverty, illiteracy, lack of basic human rights and other issues, and have made great strides in addressing these injustices. This year, SAWW will honour nine women for their contributions to society: Madikizela-Mandela, Woman of Distinction; Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, Science and Technology; Professor Fatima Meer, Human Rights; Ruth Goodwin, Performing Arts; Dr. Zubeda Dangor, PhD, Community Service; Patricia Matolengwe, Humanitarian; Vicki Bismilla, Education; Dr. Wendy Orr, Health and Marilyn Roycroft; Friendship Award.

Madikizela-Mandela is known to her supporters as Mother of the Nation. Famous for her outspoken and often controversial opposition to Apartheid, the ex-wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela spent much of her husband’s imprisonment exiled and confined to the town of Brandfort in the Orange Free State, except for the times she was allowed to visit her husband at the prison on Robben Island.

Madikizela-Mandela has held several political offices, including deputy minister of arts, culture, science and technology in the first post-Apartheid government in South Africa. She was also president of the African National Congress Women’s League for two consecutive terms.

Proceeds from the awards gala will benefit a number of social programs, including: the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Scholarship Fund, which helps financially disadvantaged students in South Africa; the Teacher Mentoring Program, which provides opportunities for Canadian and South African teachers to work together and learn from each other; and the Health Promotion Program, which provides South African women with education and support in all aspects of health.

South African Women for Women's mandate is inspired by the book No Future Without Forgiveness, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The work supported by SAWW fosters the spirit of co-operation and mutual respect with the goal of transcending the past in creating a foundation for the future. As women work together to overcome the racism and sexism that permeates society, SAWW is proud to be part of that rebuilding.

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Available for interviews, Carole Adriaans, founder of South African Women for Women

For media inquiries please contact:

Kevin Pennant
kp@pennantmediagroup.com