GOOD Statement by Robin Hendrikse,
GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillors
05 May 2025
As the nation concludes Freedom Month commemorations, the GOOD Party Stellenbosch reminds South Africans that the fight for justice, recognition, and historical truth does not end with the turning of the calendar.
In that spirit, GOOD Party Councillors, alongside local activists, recently visited Richard Carolissen, brother of the late struggle hero Ronald Carolissen, to pay tribute to his family’s unwavering contribution to South Africa’s liberation.
Ronald Carolissen was shot and killed by the Apartheid police in Stellenbosch on 8 September 1976. A dedicated activist in the liberation movement, Ronald was targeted for his unwavering role in the fight for freedom. His death remains a stark reminder of the brutality endured by countless freedom fighters and the heavy cost at which our democracy was won.
We remember with deep respect not only Richard’s courageous contributions, but also the ultimate sacrifice made by his brother, Ronald Carolissen. Richard Carolissen has long held the view that the role of Coloured people in the struggle against Apartheid remains under-acknowledged in our national narrative. He believes that more must be done to ensure their contributions are accurately reflected in the telling of our history.
For the Carolissen family, history is not just a record of the past, it is a foundation for identity and belonging. Richard often says, “Without history, you are nothing,” underscoring the urgent need for today’s youth to understand where they come from to truly know who they are, and to claim their rightful place in society.
The GOOD Party acknowledge the profound pain endured by families like the Carolissens, those who lost loved ones in the struggle. Their suffering is often overlooked, yet their resilience continues to inspire.
In this regard, we extend our deepest condolences to Sandy Messias, who was nine months pregnant with her and Ronald Carolissen’s son when Ronald was so cruelly taken by the Apartheid regime. Their child was born in the very same month as his father’s untimely death, a moment that symbolised both profound loss and the enduring spark of legacy.
The regime did not only take lives; it robbed families, communities, and an entire nation of futures that could have been.
In her quiet strength, Messias offers a message of wisdom to today’s youth. She urges young people to adopt a more positive mindset and to show greater respect toward their parents, civil society, and especially the elderly. For her, this principle is simple but powerful: “Respect goes a long way.”
Today, the struggle continues, not just to preserve memory, but to ensure rightful recognition. But we will not stop fighting to ensure that the legacy of heroes like Ronald lives on in the places we walk, the names we speak, and the freedoms we uphold.
The GOOD Party thanks Richard Carolissen and Sandy Messias for receiving us with warmth and wisdom, and for their lifelong service to our people.
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