Freedom Day – 27 April 2015
This day serves to commemorate our country’s first democratic post-apartheid elections, held on 27 April 1994. On this day, we, South Africans, elected Mr Nelson Mandela, through a free, fair and non-racial voting process, as our first president. Freedom Day, in essence, pays homage to our unique, inclusive constitution, that is second to none. Our constitution is recognised as one of the most progressive charters in the world, which provides all the people within our South African borders, freedom from the hatred and oppression that ruled the past.
On this day, we need to pay tribute to all those people who sacrificed their own freedom, and their very lives, to gain liberation for South Africa. Selfless love for humanity and our beloved country, propelled, if not compelled, our comrades, to fight for such a worthy cause; and we must honour those freedom fighters, who gave up everything, so we could attain our human dignity.
This is also a time to reflect on the strides that our country has made, in achieving the vision of a better life for all. Undoubtedly, a lot of changes have occurred since 1994; there has been progress in every sphere of society, including that of health and social development, as the government began to dispense these two basic services, amongst others, inclusively to all the people within South Africa, regardless of race, gender or age.
This year, Freedom Day will be celebrated on the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter in Kliptown, Soweto. The values of the Freedom Charter, envisioned a non-racial and democratic society, and many of its values find expression in our constitution today.
President Jacob Zuma will address all South Africans, at the Freedom Day celebration, on Monday, 27 April 2015, at the Union Building, in Pretoria.
Mr Nelson Mandela casting his vote at the first democratic elections of South Africa, held on 27 April 1994.