Staff reporter
Bloemfontein, Rocklands – Yesterday, 27 April 2026, the national Freedom Day celebrations were held at Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, the birthplace of the ANC.
During the event, StepUpSA News held a brief interview with Prof Sethulego Matebesi from the University of the Free State, who shared candid views on governance, the economy, social responsibility, and the road to the upcoming local government elections.
On the turnout at the event, Prof Matebesi noted that the attendance was not a good reflection for either government or the ANC.
He pointed out that the marquee was not full, whereas in previous years, people would fill stadiums regardless of the weather.
He suggested that the ANC needs to do more to reconnect with citizens, especially young people, if it hopes to rebuild confidence ahead of elections.
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Speaking on freedom and responsibility, Prof Matebesi said South Africans must take freedom “with a pinch of responsibility.”
He questioned whether the country can truly claim to be free while serious social issues continue, citing incidents such as a nine-year-old child being able to take a knife to school.
On the economy, he cautioned that even within the next two years, South Africa may not see full economic recovery. He said many citizens who had opportunities failed to use them responsibly, while some businesses with the power to uplift others instead used resources for personal gain.
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He added that the government has created many structures and institutions meant to support economic growth, but suggested that teaching basic economic principles in schools and homes could help build a stronger future.
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Turning to the Free State’s damning municipal audit reports and the upcoming local elections, Prof Matebesi stressed that every cent of public money must be accounted for. He said even a missing R10 should trigger disciplinary action against those responsible. According to him, repeated claims that “progress is being made” while funds go missing year after year have created a culture where municipalities act without fear of consequences.
He warned that if municipalities are allowed to collapse completely, communities will face severe problems. While condemning the destruction of infrastructure during protests, he said government must intervene decisively to stabilise the local government system.
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On xenophobia and undocumented immigration, Prof Matebesi said unresolved immigration issues could become damaging if left unattended, though they may not significantly influence the coming elections.
He argued that undocumented immigrants are not the ones most affected by poor service delivery and crime, South Africans are the ones who suffer and lose hope in government.
He also raised concern about illegal mining, saying some miners have gone as far as digging holes in front of people’s homes, something he said should not happen in a democracy.
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His remarks painted a picture of a country rich in freedom, but still facing urgent challenges that require accountability, leadership, and active citizenship.
The event also saw a moment of drama when a man attempted to hand over a written note to President Cyril Ramaphosa before being swiftly removed by security personnel.
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On a lighter note, President Ramaphosa has learnt his lessons about Lesotho
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