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Freedom day is a public holiday in South Africa celebrated on the 27th April. It celebrates freedom and commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994. The elections were the first non-racial national elections where everyone of voting age of over 18 from any race group including non-citizens were allowed to vote. Previously, under the apartheid regime, non-whites had only limited rights to vote.
The national 2010 celebrations will be held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. President Zuma will address the nation and later bestow National Orders on outstanding South Africans and eminent foreign nationals. This year the celebrations will take place under the theme: "Together deepening our democracy and celebrating our freedom". The celebrations coincide with the 20th anniversary of the release of one of the world's most respected freedom fighters and the first President of a democratic South Africa, Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Of special note is that the celebrations happen on the eve of the biggest sporting event, the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, which will for the first time take place on African soil.
The Department of Arts and Culture issued a list of artists performing at the national Freedom Day celebrations. These artists include Arts Family Productions (Diski Dance), Big Nuz, Selaelo Selota, Ihashi Elimhlophe Rebecca Malope and Phuzekhemisi.
Other events give people from the other provinces the chance to celebrate. The programme will be characterised by indigenous games performances, cultural dance, music performances, exhibitions, provision of services (Home Affairs and South African Social Security Agency) etc.
"As we will be celebrating our Freedom as South Africans, we will be remembering the people of Haiti who still suffer from the natural disaster which befell their land through the Haiti solidarity walk and fun run on 27 April 2010 from the Aspen Spar to the Finnis Sport Complex," said MEC Xoliswa Tom, who is the political champion for the programme.
According to the South African Government:
"On 27 April 2010 we celebrate 16 years of deepening democracy and freedom in South African and the achievements we have made as a nation.
- 27 April marks another milestone in the history of our nation. It is time to reflect and celebrate the journey that we travelled to achieve our freedom and democracy.
- On this day we remember the heroes and heroines from all walks of life in South Africa who sacrificed so much to ensure freedom for the all South Africans.
- Nation building requires every South African, young and old, to recognise the values and principles enshrined in our constitution and avoid behaviour that may impact negatively on society.
- We celebrate a Bill of Rights which distinguishes us amongst the nations of the world and guarantees all South Africans freedom from the repression and hatred which characterised our past.
- We celebrate living in a system which garantees that never again will our human dignity be taken from any South African irrespective of their race, gender, creed or sexual orientation."
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