Freedom Day Speech

My name is Nobuhle Sithole, and I am a proud feminist leader from Ndwedwe in KwaZulu-Natal.

Today we gather to celebrate Freedom Day, a powerful reminder of our country’s journey from apartheid to democracy. It is a day that honours the sacrifices made by those who fought for the rights and dignity we enjoy today. It is a day that should fill us with pride, reflection, and hope.

But while we celebrate, we must also be honest with ourselves: freedom is still not fully shared by everyone.

As a feminist leader, I cannot ignore the reality that many women and girls continue to experience a very different version of “freedom.” Gender-based violence remains widespread. Inequality continues to shape opportunities. And too many women are still expected to survive systems that were never designed to protect or empower them.

In communities like Ndwedwe, these challenges are not distant statistics—they are everyday realities. Women are still fighting to be heard in their homes, respected in their workplaces, and protected in their communities. Young girls are growing up carrying fears that no child should have to carry.

So today, I ask: what is freedom if it does not include safety? What is democracy if it does not ensure equality? And what is liberation if half the population is still fighting for basic dignity?

True freedom must be more than a political milestone. It must be something we can feel in our daily lives. It must mean walking without fear. It must mean equal access to education, jobs, and leadership. It must mean that a woman’s voice is not only heard but valued.

Freedom must also mean accountability. We cannot celebrate democracy while ignoring violence against women. We cannot speak of progress while inequality persists. And we cannot claim victory while so many are still left behind.

On this Freedom Day, I call on all of us to move beyond celebration into action. Let us challenge harmful attitudes that normalise violence and silence women. Let us support survivors and strengthen systems of protection. Let us raise boys and girls who understand respect, equality, and justice.

Most importantly, let us stand together. Because this struggle is not only for women—it is for all of us. A society where women are free is a society where everyone is truly free.

Let Freedom Day remind us not only of where we come from, but of where we still need to go. A South Africa where freedom is not selective, not partial, and not promised but fully lived by every person.

Thank you.