Struggle stalwarts lauded in celebrations

EASTERN Cape premier Phumulo Masualle yesterday dedicated the province’s Freedom Day celebrations to Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu and the roles they played in the struggle for freedom.

He was speaking at the Walter Sisulu University stadium yesterday.

The day’s activities started with a 2km Freedom Day race, from the stadium.

He told Saturday Dispatch that the sporting event encouraged healthy lifestyles, but he wanted young talent to be inspired to go further.

“Of course we want to encourage people to look after their health and stay healthy and fit, but also we have so many athletes who come from this province who are doing well internationally. We want to harness that power and motivate young people,” said Masualle.

He said there was still work to be done to ensure all South Africans enjoyed their freedom, but said nurturing freedom was not just up to the government.

“Every effort of every individual is needed to protect the freedom that was fought for, and that is why these events are important: to remind ourselves of the commitment and sacrifice (people made), but to also see how far have we come and how far we still have to go,” he said.

Masualle said this year’s commemoration of freedom coincided with the centenary celebrations of the late Eastern Cape-born struggle stalwarts, Albertina Sisulu and Nelson Mandela.

“This year we use this day and all other events to highlight the roles played by these two giants, to remind ourselves and the younger generation of the legacy and contribution they played in our liberation, and to impart the values that MamSisulu and Madiba stood for, and eventually use those values as tools to build up our country,” said Masualle.

Sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina said the 24km race took a route along Nelson Mandela Drive, which had some hard stretches to show how difficult the road to democracy was.

“Many people died for this freedom, others sacrificed a great deal. We now have a responsibility to nurture and preserve this freedom and we must therefore also be willing to make sacrifices and show commitment,” said Majodina. —