South Africa’s Milestones of Freedom campaign is going national. Following its launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 18 June 2026, the Government Communication and Information System, better known as GCIS, has begun rolling the campaign out to all nine provinces, bringing celebrations of the country’s democratic journey directly into communities, SAnews reports.
The campaign is designed to promote social cohesion, inspire national pride and encourage reflection on how far South Africa has come, by spotlighting the remarkable cluster of anniversaries the country marks this year.
A year of powerful anniversaries
Four landmark commemorations anchor the campaign:
- The 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution
- The 50th anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising
- The 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March
- The 60th anniversary of the forced removals from District Six
The first provincial launch took place in Sharpeville, Gauteng, on 26 July 2026, where GCIS and provincial government partners hosted a memorial lecture marking the Constitution’s 30th anniversary – a fitting choice, given Sharpeville’s deep significance in the story of South Africa’s freedom.
Coming to a community near you
August is set to be the campaign’s busiest month yet, with launches planned across the country:
- 6 August: KwaZulu-Natal (Ilembe District) and Northern Cape (John Taolo Gaetsewe District)
- 10 August: Free State (Mangaung Metro)
- 11 August: Eastern Cape (Kouga Local Municipality)
- 11-12 August: Western Cape (City of Cape Town)
- 14 August: Mpumalanga (Gert Sibande District)
- 26 August: Limpopo (Capricorn District, Polokwane)
- 27 August: North West (Dr Kenneth Kaunda Municipality)
The rollout continues right through to February 2027, with each launch led by GCIS in partnership with Offices of the Premier, the departments responsible for cooperative governance and for sport, arts and culture, and local municipalities.
An open invitation
Government has extended a warm invitation to all South Africans to take part. “Government encourages communities to participate in Milestones of Freedom activities as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of South Africa’s shared history and strengthen their appreciation of the country’s journey to democracy,” GCIS said.
Details of upcoming events are available on the government website – a chance for families, schools and communities to celebrate the milestones that made modern South Africa possible.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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