Pretoria: Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has called on South Africans to honour the country's liberation history while continuing to work towards a better future. Morolong officially launched the Milestones of Freedom campaign in Mpumalanga, marking an opportunity to reflect on the country's journey since the advent of democracy in 1994.
According to South African Government News Agency, the campaign, launched nationally by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June, is being held under the theme, 'Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future' and commemorates four significant milestones: 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 used the occasion to honour anti-apartheid activists, whose names and legacies are closely linked to Mpumalanga, including Gert Sibande, Nokuthula Simelane, and Nomoya Christina Masilela.
He described Gert Sibande, known as the 'Lion of the East', as a grassroots leader who fought for the rights of farm workers and African communities. Sibande was among 156 anti-apartheid leaders arrested and charged with treason in 1956. Morolong also remembered Nokuthula Simelane, who was abducted, tortured, and killed by members of the apartheid-era Security Branch in 1983 at the age of 23. He called for truth, accountability, and justice for those implicated in Simelane's murder and other apartheid-era crimes. The judicial commission of inquiry established by President Ramaphosa demonstrates the government's commitment to helping families who have waited years for justice.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the role of women in the liberation struggle, honouring Nomoya Christina Masilela, who was killed by apartheid security forces in 1985. The Nomoya Masilela Museum and the Nomoya Masilela Cultural Precinct play an important role in preserving the history of the liberation struggle. Morolong said the campaign would also provide an opportunity to reflect on progress made in Mpumalanga since 1994.
The Deputy Minister pointed to improvements in education and access to basic services, while acknowledging that significant challenges remain. The 2025 General Household Survey showed that 91.3% of people aged five and older in Mpumalanga attended school. More than 80% of learners in Mpumalanga and several other provinces benefited from school nutrition programmes at public schools. However, continued challenges, including electricity interruptions, reliance on traditional fuels, such as wood for cooking, and gaps in access to services, show that the work of transformation is not complete.
Land restitution was another focus of the address, with Morolong linking the progress made since 1994 to the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the forced removals from District Six. By last year March, 83,205 land claims had been settled nationally, restoring 3.9 million hectares of land to dispossessed communities and individuals since 1995. He also highlighted the recent handover of land and title deeds to the Mtshoeni/Mtsweni family in Mpumalanga. The associated Communal Property Association is using the restored land for maize and soybean cultivation and livestock farming, with more than R16.5 million in government support.
The launch took place during Women's Month, with Morolong highlighting progress in women's political representation and economic empowerment since 1994. Despite these advances, women continue to face poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, and other challenges. The Deputy Minister further honoured the youth of 1976, saying their resistance helped expose the brutality of apartheid and inspired resistance across South Africa. He highlighted improvements in education since 1994, including the rise in the matric pass rate from 58% in 1994 to 88% in 2025.
For Mpumalanga MEC for Transport Thulasizwe Thomo, the launch in Bethal provides a powerful setting for reflecting on the meaning of freedom. The town's history brings together the struggles of farm workers, political activists, and young people who stood against apartheid injustice. Closing his address, Morolong said South Africa's journey from apartheid to democracy has been long and difficult, but the country's transformation remains an ongoing process. He urged South Africans to use the Milestones of Freedom Campaign to remember those who fought for democracy, recognize the progress made since 1994, and remain committed to delivering a future that benefits all citizens.