Mashatile: South Africa Must Honour Freedom Fighters by Protecting Democracy and Delivering Change

The Deputy President says the legacy of fallen heroes must be more than a memory, it must be a mission.

Standing in the quiet Eastern Cape village of Lurhwayizo, Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered a message that cut through the political noise: South Africa must never allow the deaths of its freedom fighters to be in vain.

He was speaking at the unveiling of a bronze bust of Mbulelo Ngono, a former uMkhonto weSizwe operative who vanished in 1988 after being abducted by apartheid security police in Lesotho. His remains have never been found.

Remembering a fighter who refused to give up

Ngono’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. In 1987, he reportedly fought a 36-hour combat battle, showing what Mashatile called “amazing fortitude” in the face of overwhelming odds.

“His bravery and commitment to the fight for equality and freedom have left an everlasting impact on our country’s history,” Mashatile said. “His life embodies the sacrifices made by countless heroes and heroines who battled oppression and injustice.”

For Ngono’s family, the pain of not knowing where his remains lie is still raw. Mashatile promised the government would not stop until his family could finally bury him. He confirmed that the National Prosecuting Authority’s Missing Persons Task Team is investigating the case.

Linking the past to today’s struggles

Mashatile used the moment to remind South Africans that the courage of the liberation struggle must now be channelled into today’s battles against poverty, unemployment, inequality, and the high cost of living.

“Those who came before us showed incredible bravery under the harshest conditions,” he said. “Now we must honour them by building an ethical state, driving inclusive growth, creating jobs, and making this democracy work for everyone.”

A constitutional and moral duty

The Deputy President stressed that the Constitution itself calls for the country to honour those who gave their lives for freedom and to acknowledge the injustices of the past.

As part of that commitment, he highlighted the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, which works to address the needs of veterans and improve their access to services, a long-standing grievance in veteran communities.

Mashatile said the unveiling of Ngono’s bust was more than a tribute. “It is a reminder of where we come from as a country as we face the current challenges,” he said.

Public reaction: pride mixed with urgency

Social media reaction to the event reflected both admiration for Ngono’s sacrifice and frustration at the pace of change. While many praised the gesture, some pointed out that honouring the dead should go hand-in-hand with delivering for the livingm especially for veterans still struggling for recognition and ordinary citizens facing economic hardship.

In the words of one online comment: “We can’t just remember them in speeches and statues. We must live the South Africa they dreamed of.”

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com