Ramaphosa launches Milestones of Freedom to mark four historic anniversaries
President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched the Milestones of Freedom programme, urging South Africans to remember the country’s past struggles and recommit to building a just and equal society.
President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the Milestones of Freedom programme to mark four major anniversaries over the next year.
Seventy years ago, on 9 August 1956, 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings to demand an end to the pass laws and discrimination. The march was led by Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophie de Bruyn.
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Sixty years ago, in 1966, the apartheid government declared District Six a whites-only area, forcing more than 60 000 people from their homes.
Similar removals took place in other areas across the country.
Fifty years ago, on 16 June 1976, schoolchildren in Soweto protested against Bantu education. Their action helped change the course of history.
Thirty years ago, on 8 May 1996, South Africa adopted its democratic Constitution, which promised to heal the divisions of the past and build a society based on equality and human rights.
Ramaphosa said these milestones are foundations for the work that still needs to be done. Since 1994, millions have gained access to electricity, clean water, homes, social grants and education.
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Women now hold leadership positions in many sectors, and land has been returned to many original owners.
However, challenges remain. Many South Africans still go to bed hungry, young people are without work, and communities live in fear of crime.
Ramaphosa called on citizens to participate in the National Dialogue, register to vote on June 20 and 21, and get involved in service and activism to complete the work of freedom.
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