MINISTER of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa launched Freedom Month at Freedom Park on Thursday, 6 April.
Kodwa said the month of April marks the culmination of collective efforts to bring about the new order.
“Along the way many of our patriots perished in the result. Among them we will cite two: Today, marks exactly 44 years since the hanging of that brave patriot Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu only a few metres from here. In four days from today, we will also be marking the 30th anniversary of the brutal murder of Martin Thembisile Chris Hani,” he said.
He said they will lay to rest the mortal remains of Kholeka Thunyiswa Shabaani on 22 April in Gqeberha.
“Ms Shabaani is among the nurses who were recruited by President OR Tambo following the request by President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania to help with the health sector following the departure of British nurses who said they could not work under the African-led government. This cemented the relationship between the two sister African countries,” he said.
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Kodwa said this year will mark 29 years since that history-making moment in 1994.
“Given the all-important 30-year anniversary that is now almost upon us in 2024, we will be using this year’s celebration as a stepping stone or build-up towards the 30th anniversary milestone,” he said.
“Freedom Month provides an opportunity to the entire government and our people to pause and critically reflect on the journey we have travelled since 1994, and what needs to be done to extend the frontiers of freedom."
He said there is a reason to celebrate because great strides have been made since 1994.
“I think it would be important nonetheless that we foreground some of the most notable ones. We cannot say we are free if most of our people are denied the most basic of services necessary in improving the general quality of life,” he said.
