Twenty-two years ago, South Africans from all backgrounds, creeds and races lined up across the country on Wednesday 27 April 1994 to vote in the country’s very first democratic general elections. Previously, under the apartheid regime, non-whites had only limited rights to vote.

Everyone over the age of 18, even non-citizens, were allowed to vote. The African National Congress (ANC) was voted into power and Nelson Mandela was elected as the first President of South Africa on 10 May.

This year, Freedom Day falls on Wednesday 27 April once again. As it’s a public holiday, there’s no excuse not to observe this turning point in our country’s history by attending one of the events happening in your city.

Let’s celebrate!

It’s a good idea to head back to South Africa’s roots on Freedom Day – not only to remember the bitter history and wrongs of the past, but to celebrate just how far we’ve come as a nation in building bridges to a better future for everyone.

If possible, take a trip to Robben Island. The island has an app in partnership with Google Maps, which allows you to experience the island on your own time, with an audio playing “tour guide” in hand.

Watch the DVD A long walk to freedom or Invictus with your friends or family.

See Soweto. To hit all the sweet spots, choose one of the organised tours or take a walk down the only street in the world to have the houses of two Nobel Peace Prize winners. (Vilikazi Street where Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived.)

Visit the Apartheid museum in Johannesburg to be reminded of the privilege of living in a free country.

It’s important to note however, that “freedom” should mean emancipation from poverty, unemployment, racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination. Although we’re 22 years into our new democracy, many of these issues are still rife in our country. In addition, we now face new challenges like the growing inequality among South Africans and political and economic instability.

Freedom Day therefore serves as a reminder to us that the guarantee of our freedom requires us to remain permanently vigilant against corruption and to build a nation that will work towards wiping out the legacy of racism, inequality and the promotion of the rights embodied in our Constitution.

 

Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org
www.calendarlabs.com
www.capetownmagazine.com
www.sahistory.org.za