Women's Day 1996
South Africa, Pretoria · 1996-08-09
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked on 9 August 1996 in Pretoria, SAPO reference PT 6.42. It marks National Women's Day, held annually on 9 August to commemorate the 1956 march by thousands of women to the Union Buildings in protest against pass laws. The stamp reproduces a portrait titled Xhosa Woman by artist George Pemba, one of South Africa's most significant Black painters of the 20th century, whose work often centred on everyday life and dignity within Black communities.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a painted portrait of a young Xhosa woman, her head wrapped in a patterned grey and black doek that frames a direct, steady gaze straight out at the viewer. The painting sits on a warm ochre background and carries the loose, expressive brushwork typical of the artist George Pemba, whose same portrait appears on the stamp itself. The words "Women's Day 1996" run beneath the portrait in deep maroon lettering, and the postmark echoes the theme with a female gender symbol worked into its design.
Information Card
No info card supplied for this cover.
Theme: National Events
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.7 (ZAR)
SG reference: 935
SAPO serial number: 6.42
Estimated value: ~US$0.43
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 209 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
