Ramaphosa Marks Freedom Day With Call to Renew Social Contract and Tackle Failing Services

BLOEMFONTEIN — President Cyril Ramaphosa used his Freedom Day address to reflect on the country’s democratic gains while acknowledging deepening structural challenges, including failing municipalities, crime and persistent inequality.

Speaking at the Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium, Ramaphosa said the anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections remains a defining moment in the country’s history, but warned that the promise of freedom must translate into tangible improvements in people’s daily lives.

“Thirty-two years ago, on the 27th of April 1994, South Africa was born,” he said, recalling the long queues of voters who participated in what he described as a peaceful and historic election involving more than 20 million citizens.

The President framed Freedom Day as both a celebration and a moment of accountability, urging citizens and government alike to renew what he called the country’s “social contract.”

“This is a compact that demands active citizenship, democratic oversight and a State that delivers justice, services, opportunity and dignity in return for public trust,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa highlighted progress since the end of apartheid, pointing to expanded access to housing, healthcare, education and basic services. He noted that the country had achieved its highest matric pass rate to date and that millions of learners benefit from the national school nutrition programme.

He also cited ongoing efforts to broaden economic participation through black economic empowerment policies and land reform, describing these as necessary steps to address historic injustices.

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However, the President conceded that progress has been uneven.

“But this is not enough. There is much more that needs to be done,” he said, acknowledging that inequality, poverty and unemployment continue to affect large sections of the population.

Local Government Failures Under Scrutiny

In one of the more pointed sections of his speech, Ramaphosa addressed the deterioration of local government services, identifying failing infrastructure and mismanagement as major constraints on economic growth and quality of life.

“Failing water infrastructure, collapsing municipalities and deteriorating services are not mere inconveniences. They directly affect the quality of daily life,” he said.

He added that the government is working to strengthen local municipalities to make them “better run, more efficient and more responsive” to community needs.

The remarks come amid ongoing public frustration over service delivery failures across several provinces.

Ramaphosa reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling crime and corruption, linking both directly to the erosion of democratic gains.
“Every rand stolen is an attack on our democracy. Every project that is not completed is a betrayal of a community,” he said.

He said authorities are working to reform the criminal justice system and rebuild public trust in law enforcement institutions.

On gender-based violence, the President called for societal change, urging men in particular to take responsibility.

“South Africa does not need a so-called new generation of men. It needs the men and boys of this generation to do better,” he said. “We need men who are protectors of women, not perpetrators.”

Economic Reform and Job Creation

Ramaphosa outlined the government’s economic priorities, including infrastructure investment, structural reforms and support for key sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism and renewable energy.

He said efforts are underway to stabilise state-owned enterprises and attract investment, while the Government of National Unity focuses on inclusive growth and job creation.

Addressing rising tensions around migration, Ramaphosa struck a careful balance between enforcement and social cohesion.

“We must not allow these concerns to give rise to xenophobia,” he said, while confirming that the government is tightening controls on illegal migration and cracking down on businesses employing undocumented workers.

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The President closed his address by emphasising national unity and the shared responsibility to uphold constitutional values, invoking the legacy of Nelson Mandela.

Quoting Mandela’s inaugural address, he said: “The time for the healing of wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come.”

Ramaphosa said Freedom Day should serve as a reminder that political liberation was only the beginning of a longer journey toward economic justice and equality.

“The freedom we enjoy today was not handed to us, it was fought for by our people and secured forever by our Constitution,” he said.
“Let us be worthy of that freedom. Let us deepen it. Let us defend it.”