Celebrating freedom

Written by Staff Reporter

South Africa celebrates the 20th anniversary of freedom and democracy this Freedom Day – 27 April.

Freedom Day is the annual celebration of South Africa’s first democratic elections, which took place on 27 April 1994.

The road to democracy was motivated by centuries of discrimination and oppression, as well as sacrifice and resistance from oppressed communities, together with a minority of their white compatriots.

Today, South Africa is a new society built on a foundation of freedom and democracy.

Freedom Day 2014 is an opportunity to not only celebrate 20 years of freedom and democracy but to also reflect on how South Africa’s democracy and freedom was achieved, the progress made in the past two decades and how South Africans should work together to implement the National Development Plan (NDP).

The 20 years of democracy coincides with the country’s fifth national elections as a democratic country.

The theme for the 2014 Freedom Month celebrations is “South Africa - a Better Place to live in. We have a good story to tell”.

National Freedom Day Celebrations take place on 27 April at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.