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ANC Gauteng coordinator, Hope Papo at the Walter Sisulu Square, in Kliptown Soweto.
African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng coordinator, Hope Papo, says that the party’s effort to achieve all ideals set in the Freedom Charter is ongoing. Papo was speaking at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown Soweto, today, where the ANC marked the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter.
[WATCH] As SA marks 70 years of the Freedom Charter, unemployment and inequality remain key concerns. Nape Senong from Youth Capital highlights the need for stronger youth involvement in shaping the future. pic.twitter.com/LDRIwgN90u
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 26, 2025
The ANC has maintained that it has achieved eight of the ten ideals, which exclude the land and the wealth question.
Papo says while the Freedom Charter was founded 70 years ago to transform South Africa, he says that 500 years of colonialism cannot be eradicated in just 30 years.
“So, by 1994, we had over 500 years of colonialism in South Africa of a special type. And for 1948, apartheid. So, every five years we make an assessment. But to expect that a legacy of over 500 years of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa can be eradicated in 30 years, I say it’s correct to say that there has to be change. The DSG has explained that we have started the transformation of South Africa of over 500 years of colonialism and apartheid,” says Papo.
On this day, 26 June 1955, the Freedom Charter was adopted in Kliptown, Soweto, a bold declaration of the people’s hopes and demands for a free, just, and democratic South Africa.
As we commemorate this historic milestone, the ANC 1st Deputy Secretary General, Cde Nomvula… pic.twitter.com/iq4t2sHRtf
— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) June 26, 2025
Former Joburg City Manager, Trevor Fowler, was also at the event. He has called on political parties in the Joburg metro to work together so that services in the city can function efficiently.
This as Joburg residents have been dissatisfied with the quality of services supplied to them.
Fowler says that the instability in the City of Joburg can be directly attributed to the 2016 Local Government Elections, which saw the ANC lose its majority in the metros.
“Since then, there have been nine mayors. If you count it back, and you say that the first mayor had two years until 2019 that means there were eight mayors from 2019. There is no organization that can function effectively when you have different mayors that come in with different ideas,” adds Fowler.
VIDEO| Struggle for a free, non-racial South Africa
