Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has paid tribute to the young people who lost their lives in the struggle against apartheid, saying their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
Speaking during the Western Cape leg of the Milestones of Freedom campaign in Cape Town on Tuesday, Morolong said the memories of those who gave their lives for freedom would live on for generations to come.
The campaign brings together communities, government and young people to reflect on South Africa’s liberation history and commemorate the sacrifices that paved the way for the country’s democracy.
As part of the Western Cape programme, Morolong visited the families of Christopher Truter and Xolile Mosie, two young lives cut short during the 1976 student uprisings. The visit preceded wreath-laying ceremonies at Maitland Cemetery.
Truter was 15 when he was shot by apartheid police after students gathered at Arcadia Primary School in Cape Town, following the 16 June 1976 uprising. He was fatally wounded during the unrest in Langa.
Morolong said the Western Cape leg of the campaign was particularly significant, as it honours the lives and sacrifices of the two young men.
“When the students came here in 1976, following the June 16 student uprisings, Mosie was fatally wounded by the apartheid regime and lost his life instantly. We also celebrate the life of Christopher Truter, a 15-year-old, who was shot when students gathered at Arcadia Primary School, following the June 16 student uprisings to protest against the killing of innocent lives,” Morolong said.
He said the history of South Africa’s liberation struggle was marked by the loss of many young lives, adding that their sacrifices played an important role in the eventual dismantling of apartheid.
“Today, we honour these young lives as we prepare to meet with young people who are gathered to commemorate the heroism of the youth of the 1976 uprisings. We say to their families that the death of their loved ones was not in vain. For as long as we shall live, their memories will live forever,” Morolong said.
The programme included a Torch of Freedom ceremony at Langa Police Station; a candlelight ceremony and the unveiling of the Pond at Langa Secondary School, commemorating the events and sacrifices of June 1976.
The ceremonies provided an opportunity for younger generations to learn about the courage of the youth who challenged the apartheid system, and to reflect on the democratic freedoms that followed.
The Western Cape programme forms part of the national Milestones of Freedom Campaign - a year-long initiative being rolled out across the country under the theme: “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future”.
The campaign seeks to preserve South Africa’s liberation history, while promoting social cohesion, national pride and a deeper understanding of the country’s democratic journey.
This year’s commemorations mark several significant milestones, including 30 Years of the Constitution, 50 years since the 1976 Youth Uprisings, 70 years since the Women’s Anti-Pass Campaign and 60 years since the forced removals from District Six in Cape Town.
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) began rolling out the campaign to provinces, following its national launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 18 June 2026.
Through engagements such as the Western Cape programme, the campaign seeks to ensure that the stories of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom are not lost, while inspiring young South Africans to understand the responsibilities that come with the democratic gains achieved through their struggle. – SAnews.gov.za
