The first piece of artwork completed is by artist Anja ‘Nanna’ Venter and features the 4 prolific women who led the march to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 – namely Lilian Ngoyi, Sophia Williams DeBruyn, Rahima Moosa and Helen Joseph. The title of the anthem made popular on the momentous day in South African history, Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo, meaning ‘You strike a woman, you strike a rock’, features prominently on the design alongside the she-heroes.
“We are incredibly proud of how Anja took this and made it her own, and how she took an iconic moment in our history and brought it to the forefront today,” says Chandré.
Cape Town based Dr Anja Venter is a postdoctoral fellow at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and self-proclaimed “Art-stronaut” who is fascinated by the intersection of art, culture and technology.
“Capitec reached out to me to find out if I wanted to participate in this Women’s Day initiative, and it’s an immense honour and privilege to be the first person out of the door. Also, because I’m in such wonderful company. I admire the other two artists greatly,” says the illustrator and believer that this type of representation really matters.