It took Nelson Mandela to cease existing for his oppressors to finally acknowledge the contribution he made to the world.

As one of them bleated shortly after Madiba took his last breath on 05 December 2013, “He (Mandela) was a human, human man” he said. Yes he was. Everybody with a functional brain knew that. It was only our oppressors who chose to believe that a man, who constantly advocated for peace, was a violent, deranged terrorist. The irony of a violent regime seeing our leaders as nothing more than vicious killers is laughable.

Thirteen years after we laid our beloved Madiba to rest, his spirit remains with us. He has indeed multiplied. But so have some of those who previously oppressed and dehumanized us. They have replaced the loathed army and police uniform with suits. The guns, well at least away from the public glare, have been replaced by gadgets to wage a relentless war against this government. Sadly, some of our people have joined in and chosen the side of our former oppressors. They have cuddled up to Madiba’s jailors and formed a united force to cripple our government.

Nothing, it would appear, could ever please them. Except, of course, the collapse of government. Despite our best efforts to improve the quality of the lives of the people of this province, they continue to look for faults. That became apparent during the State of the Province Address in Bloemfontein on Friday, 20th February 2026. They even go as far as to ridicule our efforts to give our people a better life. 

When this government handed Nkgono Lucy Nkosana of Ezibeleni, in Zastron the keys to her own house, all the right-thinking people of the Free State province were happy for her.

It was the same when Ntate Litsiki Tello of Backenpark in Bethlehem and Mme Mamokete Emily Motloung of Bohlokong also received keys to their newly built houses. We cheered. 

We were all happy for them. Finally, what we envisioned when the Congress of the People sat and drafted the Freedom Charter was coming to life. Or at least that is what we thought. Instead, our efforts have been met with ridicule, scorn and insults.

One could be forgiven for thinking that the people who have perfected the art of promising heaven on earth to our people, would at least acknowledge, if not support, our efforts. But no. Not them. Instead of applauding this government for providing shelter for Mme Nkosana, they would rather criticize.

Bokang Mokubung has received a bursary from the Free State Provincial Government, but opponents of progression are so blinded by their dislike for this government that jeers for Bokang have been muted by their constant rumblings. His namesake Bokang Lehloenya has received over R1 million worth of processing equipment and his product, Motoho, is sold in big retail stores. Yet our ‘friends’ who constantly talk about the emancipation of our people, cannot even acknowledge the tireless efforts of government.

Perhaps there is something I am missing. Maybe it is not that they cannot see the good that we have done. Maybe, just maybe, they cannot stomach the fact that this government is led by the people whom they once oppressed. Maybe the thought of seeing the people who used to shiver at their mere sight makes them sick to their very core. 

Their partners on the other hand are perhaps sickened by the fact that, despite their efforts and disruptive ways, the people of the province have seen right through them and chosen leaders with a proven track record of governing. Maybe?

Our province has just emerged from a difficult period and with the little resources we have, we are slowly beginning to rebuild. We are restoring the dignity of our people. We do not expect to be congratulated, not least by our opponents, but the least they can do is to acknowledge the progress we have made.

To the people of our province, we thank you for your continued support and we promise to work hard to build the province we can all happily call home.

*MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae is the Premier of the Free State province.