South African Women in Defence (SAWID) has formally renamed itself Women in Defence South Africa (WIDSA). Announced during the Women’s Celebration on 28 August at Denel headquarters in Irene, the launch featured a keynote by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, titled “Breaking Barriers, Building the Future.” The Minister rooted the renaming in South Africa’s history of women’s resistance, recalling the 1956 march and affirming that “our work is far from over, for ‘The March Goes On’.” As an organisation committed to elevating women in security and defence, we welcome a platform that connects this legacy to concrete change today.

Industry leadership voiced clear commitments to turning visibility into opportunity. Denel Group CEO Tshepo Monaheng pledged ongoing support, underscoring the need for “more women scientists and engineers” and for women to flourish as “leaders, innovators, and decision-makers.” WIDSA Task Team Chairperson Michelle Nxumalo officially unveiled the organisation’s new name, highlighting recent momentum: seven women-owned companies showcased at IDEF 2025 in Türkiye, and women-owned businesses within AMD increased from 13.3% to 17.2% (14 of 81 members). AMD’s Colin Singarum framed the renaming as a move from visibility to “real participation within contracts and supply chains,”while Dr Khulile Mtsetfwa reminded the audience of past exclusions and declared: “The road to WIDSA rebranding is not just a change of name; it is a declaration of expansion.” Entrepreneur Queen Ndlovu spoke to the resilience required to enter the defence industry, describing her journey in drone technology and emphasising that defence innovations can become catalysts for broader economic growth.

With its new title, WIDSA positions itself not just as an advocacy body but a movement “propelling policy, shifting culture, and unlocking doors.” Its objectives, namely greater representation in policy and practice, strategic action for gender transformation, mentorship for young women, stronger participation in defence-related STEM, and networks for collaboration, align with the Minister’s insistence that transformation must mean real access, participation, ownership, and innovation. The message from the event was consistent: “the march towards change in defence is under way – and women will drive it.” SecurityWomen welcomes WIDSA’s renaming as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in South Africa’s defence sector.

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