Freedom Day is a South African (SA) public holiday celebrated on April 27, commemorating the country’s first post-apartheid elections in 1994 and a new constitution was introduced.
On 8 April, the 2025 National Freedom Month Programme was launched at the Jackson Mthembu Square at the Mpumalanga Legislature in Mbombela. Leah Mabuza, MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation (CSR), was joined at the launch by Cllr Walter Mngomezulu, executive mayor of the Gert Sibande District Municipality and other stakeholders. Because of other commitments, Gayton McKenzie, minister of CSR and Premier Mandla Ndlovu, could not attend.
The 2025 month-long celebrations will focus on progress made since 1994 in building a united and inclusive nation. The programme will reflect on the collective resilience in safeguarding democratic gains, while critically addressing ongoing challenges.
During her keynote address, Mabuza said that in 2026 SA’s Constitution will be celebrated and would reflect on national cohesion, democratic gains and setbacks.
“Just before we started with the launch, we took a tour at the square that is named after Jackson Mthembu, the son of the soil who resisted the apartheid government system and fought with his life to ensure that the people of South Africa are free. Not only did he fight the apartheid regime, he became one of the liberators of the workers in Mpumalanga and a community activist in fighting for what is right for the people of this province. He never stood back, even when we received democracy. He always wanted to be part of the new government that liberated our movement,” Mabuza said.
“We are here today to launch the Freedom Month celebrations that will be held at the Msukaligwa Local Municipality in Mpumalanga. This launch is an indication of a build up to the programmes that are going to take place from today until April 27. This is not only in Mpumalanga, but nationally. As we converge in Msukaligwa, led by the President Cyril Ramaphosa, this will honour our first elections into democracy,” she concluded.
