Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Roy Jankielsohn MPL and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL
The Democratic Alliance (DA) commemorates Freedom Day as a defining moment in South Africa’s history, a day that symbolises the triumph of democracy over oppression and the promise of a better life for all.
However, while we honour the significance of this day, we must confront the lived reality of many residents across the province and that for them, freedom remains incomplete.
For thousands in the Free State, the promise of 1994 has yet to translate into meaningful change. Many are still trapped in economic hardship, unemployment, and poverty. Basic dignities that should accompany freedom, such as access to reliable running water, decent housing, and proper sanitation, remain out of reach for far too many communities.
The DA believes that political freedom without economic opportunity and basic service delivery is a promise only half fulfilled.
Dysfunctional municipalities across the Free State continue to undermine the very essence of Freedom Day. When taps run dry, refuse goes uncollected, and infrastructure crumbles, residents are denied not only services but their dignity.
Poor governance and mismanagement have turned many municipalities into barriers to progress rather than vehicles for development. Corruption and lack of accountability continue to rob residents of the opportunities they deserve.
The DA reiterates that real freedom must be measured in people’s daily lives, in access to jobs, quality services, and a government that works efficiently and transparently.
As we mark Freedom Day, the DA calls on all spheres of government to prioritise service delivery, root out corruption, and place the needs of residents at the centre of governance.
Freedom must not only be remembered, but it must also be realised.