Mpumalanga Hosts Provincial Launch of South Africa’s Milestones of Freedom Initiative

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 during the official provincial launch of the Milestones of Freedom campaign in Mpumalanga on Friday.

Speaking at the event held in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality within the Gert Sibande District, Morolong emphasized that the initiative serves as a vital platform to reflect on South Africa’s transformative journey since the dawn of democracy in 1994.

Originally unveiled nationally by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June under the guiding theme “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future,” the campaign commemorates four pivotal historical markers: 30 years since the adoption of the democratic Constitution, 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising, 70 years since the historic 1956 Women’s March, and 60 years since the devastating forced removals from District Six.

Honouring Mpumalanga’s Revolutionary Figures

During his address, Morolong paid tribute to iconic anti-apartheid figures whose legacies are deeply intertwined with Mpumalanga. Among them was Gert Sibande, famously known as the “Lion of the East,” a grassroots champion for the rights of farm workers and African communities who was among the 156 leaders charged with treason in 1956.

The Deputy Minister also reverently remembered Nokuthula Simelane, a 23-year-old activist abducted, tortured, and killed by the apartheid-era Security Branch in 1983. Highlighting the ongoing pursuit of closure for grieving families, Morolong stressed the government’s commitment to truth and accountability through a judicial commission of inquiry established by President Ramaphosa to investigate past interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.

The role of women in the struggle was further underscored through the memory of Nomoya Christina Masilela, killed by security forces in 1985. Morolong pointed to the Nomoya Masilela Museum and Cultural Precinct as essential guardians of this regional revolutionary history.

Evaluating Progress and Persistent Challenges

Shifting focus to regional development, the Deputy Minister evaluated the tangible progress achieved in Mpumalanga over the past three decades, particularly in education and basic service delivery.

Citing data from the 2025 General Household Survey, he noted that 91.3% of residents aged five and older in Mpumalanga were attending school, while over 80% of learners benefited from public school nutrition programmes.

However, Morolong remained candid about unfinished business, noting that electricity interruptions, reliance on traditional fuels like wood, and infrastructural gaps continue to challenge local communities.

Addressing land restitution in connection with the legacy of District Six, Morolong reported that 83,205 land claims had been successfully settled nationally by March of the previous year, returning 3.9 million hectares to dispossessed citizens. Locally, he highlighted the handover of more than 627 hectares to the Mtshoeni/Mtsweni family in Mpumalanga, supported by over R16.5 million in government aid for agricultural and skills development.

Empowerment and Democratic Milestones

Marking Women’s Month, Morolong celebrated significant advancements in female political and economic representation, noting that women comprise approximately 43.5% of Members of Parliament, hold top legislative posts, and represent a substantial share of the national executive, alongside the historic 2024 appointment of Justice Mandisa Maya as South Africa’s first female Chief Justice.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that systemic obstacles such as poverty, gender-based violence, and the digital divide still disproportionately affect women.

Education milestones also featured prominently, with Morolong noting the national matric pass rate surging from 58% in 1994 to an impressive 88% in 2025, alongside higher education funding extensions via the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for over five million students.

Mpumalanga MEC for Transport Thulasizwe Thomo reinforced these sentiments during the gathering in Bethal, asserting that acknowledging the town’s rich tapestry of resistance is fundamental to understanding the province’s profound contribution to South Africa’s liberation.