Johannesburg: The Free State's long history of resistance and the remarkable progress made by the province since 1994 took center stage on Thursday, as Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong launched the Milestones of Freedom Campaign in Bloemfontein. Speaking at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, a site steeped in South Africa's political history, Morolong highlighted the significant role that the Free State has played in the nation's journey towards freedom and democracy.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister Morolong emphasized the importance of the Free State in South Africa's struggle for freedom. He recounted how, in 1912, African leaders convened at the church under Dr. Pixley ka Isaka Seme's leadership to address the challenges faced by African people and to collectively respond to colonial rule and racial discrimination. A year later, women in the then Orange Free State amplified the resistance, with 5,000 women signing a petition against pass laws, leading to the 1913 protests in Bloemfontein.
The tradition of resistance persisted through generations, culminating in the historic 1956 Women's March, where more than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings. The Free State's contribution was marked by Annie Clorence Peters, who played a key role in mobilizing women from the province. Morolong stressed the need to remember the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom, including activists who died in exile. Through the government's repatriation program, the remains of Free State activists Mahlomola Leoatle and Sabata Thauthau are being brought home for reburial in Bloemfontein.
The Milestones of Freedom Campaign, themed 'Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future', commemorates four significant anniversaries: 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution, 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising, 70 years since the 1956 Women's March, and 60 years since the forced removals from District Six. Morolong noted that the campaign showcases how democracy has improved lives, with 88.5% of households in the Free State now living in formal dwellings, 94.6% having access to electricity, and 92.2% having piped water.
Education has also seen significant advancements, with the province's matric pass rate increasing from 69% in 2009 to 89.33% in 2025. Morolong praised achievements such as Makwane Secondary School's consistent 100% Physical Science pass rate and the participation of six learners from Sentinel Primary School in a robotics competition in Singapore. He also highlighted progress in early childhood development, with a 48.5% attendance rate recorded in the 2025 General Household Survey.
While celebrating these milestones, Morolong acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in addressing land and spatial inequality. He emphasized that the campaign must do more than remember the past. "The Milestones of Freedom Campaign is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, recognize the resilience that brought us here, and renew our commitment to the work that remains," he stated. "By remembering our history and learning from it, we can build a more inclusive, just, and prosperous future for generations to come."