National Women's Day must remain a political holiday, ANC President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.

"August 9th is and should remain a highly political holiday," Zuma told an ANC Women's League rally in Thabong, Welkom.

The ANC president said National Women's Day should be protected against being "diluted" to suit commercial interests.

"National Women's Day is the celebration of the role and contribution of women to public life, in the struggle for freedom, in the building of a new non-racial and democratic South Africa and in building our future." Speaking at a half filled Zuka Baloi Stadium in Welkom, Zuma said the day should be protected from being "de-politicised" of which signs were already evident.

"These (efforts) appear to be designed to turn the day into something frivolous, similar to either Valentine's Day or Mother's Day."

Zuma said National Women's Day, a public holiday, should remain as a dedication to the heroism of women in the past and the "critical importance of women's struggle" in the South Africa in future.

Sapa