As the country celebrates twenty eight years since the dawn of democracy and freedom, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government chose the small town of Ugie, in the Joe Gqabi District, to observe this significant day. The day was celebrated under the theme: Consolidating our Democratic Gains.
Since the province has chosen this year to celebrate the life and times of Reverend John Knox Bokwe, it was befitting that Ugie be chosen as the town to celebrate Freedom Day. This is where Reverend Bokwe built multiracial schools and churches in the area, when he was posted as the reverend of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa.
Recently, the Provincial Government kicked-off human rights month by celebrating the life and times of this gentle giant in Dikeni (former Alice), where Reverend Bokwe served in the committee that planned and prepared for the establishment of the University of Fort Hare, which came into being in 1916.
Education MEC, Mr Fundile Gade, who was standing in for Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, emphasised the need for today leaders to do some introspection and determine if they contribute to the gains of our freedom and democracy, fought for by our celebrated heroes, or if they are reversing those gains.
