South Africa celebrates Women’s Month in August, as a tribute to the thousands of courageous women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. In light of this turning point, we would like to pay homage to three remarkable South African women.

Precious Motsepe

Precious Moloi-Motsepe is a doctor, businesswoman, humanitarian and the executive chairperson of Africa Fashion International. She started her career path as a medical doctor and has worked in both the public and private health sectors as a general practitioner. She also opened one of the first women’s health clinics in Johannesburg. That all happened until the fashion industry caught her eye. Now she is an Executive Chairperson for Africa Fashion International and her company owns and hosts Fashion weeks in South Africa.

She is the wife of mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, and mother to three sons. Words to live by, she says, “Authenticity is the heart of luxury” Profound indeed, coming from such a prestigious forerunner.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron, a former model turned Oscar winning actress as well as producer and director. Best known for her award winning role in the film ‘Monster’.

She went to Los Angeles when she was just 19 years old, in an attempt to start a career in acting. She is now one of the A-listers in Hollywood and the rest is so to say history as she has long list of successful films behind her.

Her style is sophisticated and undeniably mesmerizing. Who can forget how radiant she looked at the 2014 Oscars. With the Winston Cluster Pendant, featuring a 31-carat square-emerald-cut flawless diamond set in a cluster of diamonds, absolutely magnificent.

In 2007 she created the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project to help African youth in their fight against HIV/AIDS. She became a mom in March 2012 and she was quoted saying in reference to her outreach project, “It’s definitely different, because you start thinking about the legacy that you want to leave behind for your child…I want him to be proud of me in a way that’s authentic.”  So heartwarming, it makes us love her even more!

Patricia de Lille

Patricia de Lille is the Mayor of the City of Cape Town and the leader of the Western Cape Democratic Alliance Party. She has been involved in politics for over forty years now.

In 1988 she was elected as National Vice-President of The National Council of Trade Unions, the highest position for a woman in the trade union movement at that time. In July 2006 she was the first woman to be recognised as an Honorary Colonel in the South African National Defence Force. In addition to this she also serves in another leadership position as the Trustee of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

The late former President Nelson Mandela described her as “a strong, principled woman” and his “favourite opposition politician.” This is an insightful view to the honourable and astute woman she is. We are proud to have a woman such as her in leadership roles serving our country.

We have just scratched the surface of unveiling some great South African women, making strides all in their own right, but we know that there are many more, many more women making headways in different areas of life and industries. We acknowledge and salute you all!

Happy Women’s Month all you exquisite jewels.