GOVAN MBEKI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, MPUMALANGA — Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong launched the Milestones of Freedom campaign in Mpumalanga on Friday, urging residents to both remember the past and press for justice where apartheid-era wrongs remain unresolved. The provincial event took place in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in the Gert Sibande District.
Campaign links national milestones to local legacies
The Milestones of Freedom initiative, rolled out nationally by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year, marks four major moments in South Africa’s struggle and constitutional journey. At the provincial launch, Morolong framed the campaign as an opportunity to reflect on how those events shaped communities across Mpumalanga and to showcase local sites that preserve this history.
“Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future.”
Morolong highlighted the links between the national commemorations and activists who are part of Mpumalanga’s liberation narrative. He named figures whose work and sacrifice have local resonance, including the agricultural organiser Gert Sibande — often called the "Lion of the East" — as well as Nokuthula Simelane and Nomoya Christina Masilela.
Calls for truth and accountability
At the launch the deputy minister emphasised the need for truth and redress for crimes committed during apartheid. He referenced the judicial commission of inquiry established by the presidency to examine whether there were efforts to obstruct investigations and prosecutions of apartheid-era violations. The commission, Morolong said, reflects a governmental commitment to families who have sought answers for decades.
He specifically invoked the case of Nokuthula Simelane, who was abducted, tortured and killed by Security Branch operatives in 1983 at the age of 23, and called for accountability for those involved in her death and similar crimes.
Women’s role and local heritage sites
Morolong paid tribute to women who were central to the liberation movement, including Nomoya Christina Masilela, killed by apartheid security forces in 1985. He praised the work of local heritage institutions such as the Nomoya Masilela Museum and the Nomoya Masilela Cultural Precinct for preserving memory and educating younger generations about the province’s contribution to national struggles.
The deputy minister stressed that commemorations should not be merely ceremonial but should contribute to tangible outcomes — education, civic pride and, where relevant, restorative action for survivors and families.
What the campaign commemorates
The Milestones of Freedom campaign commemorates four nationally significant anniversaries that also touch communities across Mpumalanga:
- 30 years since adoption of the Constitution;
- 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising;
- 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March;
- 60 years since the forced removals from District Six.
| Milestone | Years since |
|---|---|
| Adoption of the Constitution | 30 |
| 1976 youth uprising | 50 |
| 1956 Women’s March | 70 |
| District Six forced removals | 60 |
Local impact and the role of heritage
For Mpumalanga communities, the campaign provides a platform to connect local sites of memory to national narratives, strengthening cultural tourism and education. Museums and cultural precincts named after activists act as custodians of this legacy and can serve as learning centres for schools, community groups and visitors.
Morolong’s remarks also pointed to the wider role heritage plays in tourism and local economies: preserving and interpreting the stories of struggle can attract visitors and support local entrepreneurs, while ensuring that commemoration is rooted in community voices.
What residents can expect
Provincial activities connected to the national campaign are expected to include exhibitions, educational programmes and commemorative events at relevant museums and cultural sites. The launch in Gert Sibande signals that provincial authorities will emphasise both remembrance and the need to advance the unresolved work of truth and justice.
As the province prepares for a series of events under the campaign, community organisations and heritage practitioners will be central to shaping how stories are told and how they contribute to civic education and, where appropriate, to processes seeking accountability.
Nomsa Mahlangu, Mpumalanga correspondent, reported from Govan Mbeki Local Municipality. The launch in Mpumalanga forms part of a nationwide commemoration programme led by the presidency.
