On 28 March 2025, Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum, in partnership with the Sarah
Baartman District Municipality, Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe
Trust, and the National Heritage Council will host a landmark event to commemorate 100 years
since the birth of Dr Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, one of the most revered leaders in South
Africa’s liberation struggle.
Under the theme, “Return to the Source: Rekindling the Values of Robert Sobukwe,” the
celebration invites South Africans to revisit the principles that defined Sobukwe’s life—integrity,
courage, Pan-Africanism, and an unyielding belief in African self-determination.
The event, to be held at the Botanical Gardens in Graaff-Reinet, Sobukwe’s birthplace, will feature
a robust programme of dialogues, cultural performances, community engagement, and keynote
addresses by political thought leaders, historians, and activists. It will provide a space for critical
reflection on the enduring relevance of Sobukwe’s philosophy in addressing issues such as racial
justice, land reform, and national identity in contemporary South Africa.
Highlights of the Centenary Programme:
- Centenary Dialogue & Lecture featuring top political analysts and historians
- Visit to Sobukwe’s childhood home and community sites of historical significance
- Launch announcement of the Robert Sobukwe Exhibition at Freedom Park (1 April – 30
June 2025) - Documentary screenings, storytelling sessions, and educational outreach
programmes across schools and community centres - Handover of the necessities to Nqweba High School in Graaff-Reinet through the NHC’s
Ubuntu Initiative in partnership with the Robert Sobukwe Foundation on 26 March 2025
The 2025 Centenary Celebration will also mark the beginning of a deeper partnership between
Freedom Park, the Robert Sobukwe Trust, and academic institutions to preserve and archive
Sobukwe’s legacy through multimedia exhibitions, oral histories, and educational content for future
generations.
“True leadership demands complete subjugation of self, honesty and integrity, uprightness of
character, courage and fearlessness, and above all a consuming love for one’s people.” – Robert
Sobukwe
Join us in honouring this profound legacy and ensuring that the values Sobukwe championed
continue to guide South Africa’s journey towards justice, unity, and humanity.
END
For media enquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Communications Officer at Sarah Baartman District Municipality: Natasha Peterson on Cell:
082 313 7487 or Email: npeterson@sbdm.co.za
