By Aobakwe Motsokwane
South Africans must celebrate the gains of democracy, while remaining committed to addressing the challenges that continue to confront communities across the country.
This was the message delivered by Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong during the provincial launch of the Milestones of Freedom Campaign, in KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday.
Speaking at the Chief Albert Luthuli Campus of uMfolozi TVET College in the iLembe District, Morolong said the campaign is an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the achievements of the democratic era and recommit themselves to building a better future for all.
The campaign, launched nationally by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June 2026, is being commemorated under the theme: “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future.” It marks four significant anniversaries in South Africa’s democratic journey – 30 years of the Constitution, 50 years since the 1976 Youth Uprising, 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March and 60 years since the forced removals from District Six.
Morolong said the Constitution remains one of South Africa’s greatest achievements, providing a foundation for equality, human dignity and freedom while safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
“The Constitution remains the cornerstone of our democracy and ensures that all laws align with the values and spirit of our democratic order,” he said.
He noted that South Africa’s constitutional framework has enabled landmark advances in human rights, strengthened democratic institutions and ensured accountability through the separation of powers and the work of Chapter 9 institutions.
Reflecting on the progress achieved since 1994, Morolong highlighted significant improvements in access to basic services and social protection.
This is as access to piped municipal water increased substantially, while millions more South Africans now benefit from social grants and improved housing opportunities.
In KwaZulu-Natal, he said, progress has also been evident through expanded access to water and sanitation services, as well as strong participation in the education system, with the province accounting for one of the largest shares of school attendance in the country.
READ | Celebrating the country's milestones of democracy
Advancing women’s rights
As South Africa commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Women’s March during Women’s Month, Morolong paid tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, in opposition to apartheid pass laws.
He acknowledged the role played by women from KwaZulu-Natal, including struggle icons Dorothy Nyembe and Mary Thipe, whose activism contributed to one of the defining moments in the country’s liberation struggle.
Morolong said government has made notable progress in advancing women’s rights and representation in leadership structures since 1994.
Women now make up approximately 43.5% of Members of Parliament, while women occupy senior positions across government, Parliament and the judiciary. The appointment of Justice Mandisa Maya as South Africa’s first female Chief Justice in 2024 stands as a milestone in the country’s pursuit of gender equality.
Despite these gains, he cautioned that women continue to face significant challenges, including poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, unequal economic opportunities and barriers to leadership and land ownership.
Land restoration
Turning to the 60th anniversary of the forced removals from District Six, Morolong said freedom must also be measured through the restoration of dignity, land and belonging.
He said government has settled more than 83 000 land claims nationally since 1995, resulting in the restoration of 3.9 million hectares of land to dispossessed individuals and communities. In KwaZulu-Natal, 16 903 land claims have been settled, representing nearly 890 000 hectares of land restored through restitution processes.
“These gains are not just about land; they are about justice, healing and building a more inclusive future for our people,” he said.
Youth Uprising
Morolong also reflected on the legacy of the 1976 generation, whose resistance against apartheid helped shape South Africa’s democratic future.
He said government has sought to honour their sacrifice by expanding access to education and opportunities for young people. The national matric pass rate increased from 58% in 1994 to a record 88% in 2025, while KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the country’s best-performing province with a 90.6% pass rate in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.
He further highlighted the contribution of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which has funded more than five million students from low-income and working-class families, expanding access to higher education and supporting transformation within the sector.
Looking to the future
As the Milestones of Freedom Campaign rolls out across the country, Morolong said South Africans should use the commemorations as an opportunity to honour the sacrifices of previous generations while remaining focused on building a more prosperous, inclusive and united nation.
“The Milestones of Freedom Campaign calls on us to honour the past, draw strength from it, and deliver the future our people deserve,” he said.
