Office of the Premier
Speech

Minister Gwede Mantashe, who is here on behalf of the President
All Speakers and the Chairperson of National Council Of Provinces
Minister Gayton Mackenzie and all Ministers
Deputy Ministers
MECs and members of various Legislatures
Executive Mayor of Gert Sibande District Cllr Mngomezulu and all Executive mayors, and all Councillors
Our Traditional Leaders under the leadership of Kgoshi Mokoena, the President of Contralesa and chairperson of our own House of Traditional Leaders and Khoisan
Senior government officials from all spheres of government
Leaders of the Alliance the ANC, SACP, COSATU and SANCO
Religious Leaders
Business leaders and Civic organizations
Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen
Sanibonani, Lotjani, Dumelang

  1. Sibonga umongameli wethu u Cyril Ramaphosa ngokuthi acabange thina abantu base Mpumalanga ukubungata lelilanga elihloniphekile la elizweni lethu. Namuhla siceda iminyaka ewu 31 sithole inkululeko.
  2. Our freedom did not come on a platter. It was won through the sacrifices of countless men and women, young and old, black and white who endured hardships, violence, and imprisonment, often giving their lives so that we could stand here today as a free people.
  3. Ngikhuluma ngama qhawe abuya la eMpumalanga, Cde Nokuthula Simelane, Cde Gert Sibande, Cde Portia Shabangu, Cde Henry ‘Mr Drum’ Nxumalo, Cde Nomoya Masilela namanye amqabane alwela aphinda afela le Nkululeko.
  4. We owe a great debt to those who fought, in various ways, for a future of democracy and human rights. Their courage and commitment laid the foundation for a free and fair society, and it is their vision that continues to guide us as we move forward into the future. We dare not fail them.
  5. As leaders in government and society, we should always think of those who died and ask ourselves if we still represent their aspirations.
  6. Minister Mantashe noma singekafiki la siya khona, kodwa thina la e Mpumalanga inkululeko siyayibona.
  7. Kule 31 years se sine: University of Mpumalanga, sinama boarding schools awu six (6) a replace ama farm schools, yingako thina sikhipha ama matric results we quality. A Quality matric result is a foundation for quality graduates that will have an impact on our society.
  8. Futhi sakha nesikolo sabantwana abanga boni nalaba abangezwa.
    • I 93.7% ya makhaya athola ugesi, ne 87% ithola manzi ahlanzekile,
    • i sanitation iku 95.9%
    • Unemployment yona Baba Mantashe isase phezulu, kodwa ziyazama ngoba si move from 36.4% to 34,7% , sithembise ukuthi sizo create 60 000 yama thuba omsebenzi nge mnyaka.
  9. Sithanda ukubonga i Department of Employment and Labour ngoku si siza nge R514 million yoku dala amathuba omsebenzi engekho phantsi ko 10 000.
  10. Nalana e Msukaligwa, siyasebenza, we are implementing a number of infrastructure projects including bulk water and bulk sewer. Some of them include but are not limited to’
    • Installation of bulk sewer pump stations Outfall link and rising mains as part of the Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) in Ermelo Ext 44, this project will cost R25 million on completion and phase one of this project has been completed/li>
  11. Sine nkinga ye Sewer Spillages e extension 32, 33 nase 34, sifake ma pump ya sewer lapha e extension 32, 33 and 34 saphinda sawa connect ku PVC Rising Mains Connecting Lines to bulk infrastructure & WWTW
  12. In response to the call by the Freedom Charter that there shall be shelter provided for our people, Siyakhe izindlu ezi 550 in this area, 300 zazo zise Wesselton ne 250 e Breyton Extension 4 Kwazanele.
  13. Gert Sibande District sakhe i Lebohang clinic la e Leslie Leandra, sakhe clinic yase Kinross, ne MN Cindi clinic lana e Ermelo. Sakha nesibhedlele sase Bethal hospital ne Community health Center yase Balfour CHC. Konke lokhu yimizamo yethu yoku qinisekisa ukuthi abantu baphila baze bafineyele kuminayaka engu 70 nanga phezulu.
  14. In total kule 31 years sakhe 106 yemithola mpila la eMpumalnga, 22 in Nkangala, 33 here in Gert Sibande and 51 in Ehlanzeni.
  15. By the way I am not here to deliver a SOPA speech but I am here to welcome you Minister Mantashe and your entourage. President I would like to repeat what I once said, ukuthi wena lapha e Mpumalanga usekhaya, there is a saying, that a leader should always look over his shoulder to see if people are still behind him. Thina la e Mpumalanga sithi khululeka, you don’t have to look over your shoulder, we are fully behind you.
  16. I thank You.
Welcoming remarks by Premier Mandla Ndlovu at the 2025 National Freedom Day Celebration (96.9 KB)
2025