by Marion Smith
The iconic Union Buildings in Pretoria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, became a powerful stage for the celebration of women’s leadership, courage and legacy as the Portraits of Power Exhibition – International Unveiling Ceremony officially opened during South Africa’s Women’s Month commemorations.
Hosted by the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute (CMMI) in partnership with the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, diplomatic missions and international partners, the exhibition also marks the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March. Through art and cultural diplomacy, the exhibition honours extraordinary women whose leadership and service have transformed nations and inspired generations.
The exhibition features portraits created by emerging South African artists, celebrating remarkable women from fifteen participating countries. Each diplomatic mission selected a woman whose story reflects resilience, leadership and national pride.
Among those honoured are Namibia’s President H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Ireland’s former President Dr Mary Robinson, Queen Marie of Romania, former Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso, Kenyan environmental activist Dr Wangari Maathai, pioneering Turkish aviator Sabiha Gökçen, Mozambican freedom fighter Josina Machel, Colombian educator and community leader Trismila Rentería, Angolan liberation heroine Deolinda Rodrigues, Lithuanian national heroine Emilija Pliaterytė, former Malawian President Dr Joyce Banda, Singaporean political pioneer Chan Choy Siong and Australian Indigenous activist Mum Shirl.
The ceremony brought together government leaders, ambassadors, high commissioners, artists, academics and members of the diplomatic community, highlighting the importance of preserving and sharing women’s stories through art and education.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga spoke passionately about the importance of reclaiming Africa’s historical narrative.
She warned against allowing others to define the continent’s history, saying that the media and creative industries carry “the very soul of a nation” and play a vital role in shaping collective memory.
The Minister described Portraits of Power as more than an art exhibition, calling it a transformative initiative that honours and preserves the legacy of pioneering women while inspiring future generations.
She challenged those present to move beyond symbolic recognition of women and instead focus on building institutions that genuinely empower them.
“A portrait on your wall is a beginning, not a destination,” she said.
Minister Chikunga emphasised that women must occupy their rightful place wherever decisions are made, with equal access to education, leadership, technology, capital and economic opportunities. She encouraged every successful woman to become “a building ladder for someone else”, ensuring that future generations benefit from mentorship, opportunity and inclusion.
She further urged that the stories of the women featured in the exhibition become part of school curricula, universities and community conversations so that young women can see themselves reflected in history and leadership.
Concluding her address, the Minister thanked the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute, the Presidency, participating diplomatic missions, artists, curators and organisers for bringing the exhibition to life. She paid tribute to the women whose portraits now adorn the walls of the Union Buildings, saying they “did not ask to be remembered; they simply refused to be forgotten.”
Following the speeches, ambassadors and representatives of the participating countries gathered for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, where the portraits were formally unveiled. The moment marked the opening of an exhibition that stands as a lasting tribute to women’s leadership across continents.
Attending the ceremony as a guest of the Embassy of Colombia offered a particularly meaningful perspective on an initiative that brings together stories of women from different nations, cultures and generations.
The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder that diplomacy, culture and art can work together to preserve history, inspire future generations and strengthen international friendship through the shared stories of remarkable women whose courage and leadership continue to shape the world.
