The Eastern Cape government on Tuesday held a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Sarah Baartman in Hankey, formally launching the province’s leg of the national Milestones of Freedom Campaign.
The campaign, launched nationally by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aims to remember historic injustices while promoting concrete measures to build a more inclusive future. In the Eastern Cape the initiative will place particular emphasis on honouring Baartman’s legacy and highlighting the role of young women entrepreneurs in the provincial economy.
Linking remembrance with action
At the ceremony the province’s MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Nonkqubela Pieters, framed Baartman’s treatment more than two centuries ago as an historical example of gendered violence whose echoes remain in contemporary society. Pieters used the event to press for a coordinated response to gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
“We must make sure we end GBV and femicide. We are calling on men and government in general and grateful that the president has declared it as a disaster. We are calling on religious leaders, government and stakeholders to come on board. What happened to Sarah Baartman is GBV and we cannot allow that to spread.”
The ceremony at Hankey was the first public act in the province under the banner of Milestones of Freedom. According to the provincial launch materials, the campaign will also seek to spotlight the contributions of young women entrepreneurs as part of efforts to deliver a more inclusive economy.
Economic focus: supporting women entrepreneurs
While the wreath-laying ceremony was a commemorative act, provincial officials stressed the campaign’s practical dimension: elevating economic opportunities for young women. The launch statement identified entrepreneurial visibility as a priority alongside the campaign’s memorial remit.
Details on specific programmes, funding or timelines for entrepreneur-support initiatives in the Eastern Cape were not provided at the ceremony. The provincial department responsible for the launch said it would outline further activities as the campaign rolls out.
What the provincial launch included
- Wreath-laying at Sarah Baartman’s grave in Hankey.
- Public launch of the Eastern Cape leg of the Milestones of Freedom Campaign.
- Calls from the MEC for coordinated action to end GBV and support for young women entrepreneurs.
The Milestones of Freedom Campaign is a national initiative; its provincial rollout places historical remembrance alongside present-day social and economic priorities. The Eastern Cape launch reiterated a message that commemoration is intended to drive policy and community action rather than stand alone as symbolism.
| Campaign element | Focus at Eastern Cape launch |
|---|---|
| Remembrance | Honouring Sarah Baartman’s legacy |
| Socio-economic | Spotlight on young women entrepreneurs |
Community groups and stakeholders called for clarity from the provincial government on how the campaign would translate into measurable outcomes — particularly in addressing GBV and creating tangible economic pathways for women. The MEC’s remarks pointed to a multi-stakeholder approach, calling on faith leaders and other institutions to participate in prevention and support measures.
As the province moves from symbolic remembrance to programme planning, residents and civil society will be watching for concrete commitments: funding lines, timelines, and indicators to assess whether the Milestones of Freedom Campaign will change conditions for women in the Eastern Cape or remain primarily commemorative.
This public launch at Hankey places the province within a national effort to pair historical recognition with policy priorities. Further announcements from the provincial department are expected as the campaign progresses.
