On this day, 11th February, we honour the resilience of Nelson Mandela, who walked out of Victor Verster Prison after 27 years of imprisonment. His release was not just a personal victory but a testament to the power of perseverance in pursuit of a greater goal. Long before that moment, he had already lived a life of sacrifice, evading capture under the pseudonym David Motsamayi. The name itself carried deep symbolism—David, like the biblical king, represented courage in the face of giants, a man who stood firm against oppression. Motsamayi, meaning “the traveller,” reflected his mission of moving from place to place, uniting a divided nation, and leading people towards liberation. His journey was never about himself, but about transforming the fate of millions, proving that even in suffering, the vision of freedom must never be abandoned.
Like King David, Mandela fought battles that seemed insurmountable, both with weapons, wisdom and an unbreakable spirit. As Motsamayi, the traveller, he walked South Africa’s soil
with purpose, crossing landscapes of hardship to forge a path of hope. Whether in the streets of Johannesburg or the countryside, he met with workers, students, and leaders, planting seeds of resistance and unity. He embraced the road, not only as an escape from capture, but as a means to shape history. It was through his journey, both literal and symbolic, that he became the father of a nation—one who endured exile, prison, and pain to return stronger, wiser, and unshaken. His steps were not just movements; they were milestones of transformation, leading South Africa into a new dawn.
Gauteng, the province that embraced David Motsamayi, remains a testament to his journey and the power of dreams. It was here, in Alexandra, that he arrived and his political consciousness was awakened; in Soweto, he built a home and a movement; and in Houghton, he symbolised a united South Africa. This land, rich in history and heritage, is more than a place—it is an experience of struggle, triumph, and legacy. Visitors can walk the streets he walked, from Vilakazi Street, Freedom Park and Constitutional Hill, feeling the pulse of a nation that rose with him. Gauteng is not just the heartbeat of South Africa’s economy—it is the living memory of a leader who never gave up, and an open invitation to all who seek inspiration in the footsteps of greatness.
Let’s keep walking, bana ba Motsamayi! A re hateng mmoho. Let us travel to open doors, to ignite hope, and to propel dreams forward. Whether crossing borders or city streets, whether
guiding the next generation or building new paths, we must walk with purpose. For every step we take is a chance to change a life, to heal a nation, and to honour the footsteps of those who walked before us. The journey continues—let’s walk boldly into the future!
Sello Hatang
Re Hata Mmoho
