Why do we celebrate freedom day

We also dare not forget the terrible past from which we have come, nor should we forget the many sacrifices made by patriots to ensure our democracy and freedom. Our history abounds with selfless patriots who paved the way for a democratic and free South Africa. This year marks the th anniversary of struggle icon and human rights campaigner Charlotte Maxeke.

The road to democracy was a long and difficult one. Since the arrival of the White man at the Cape in , the indigenous peoples of South Africa came under White control and domination. Soon all peoples of colour were denied the vote and hence a say in the running of the country.

South Africa was never truly independent nor democratic. The exclusion of the majority of South Africans from political power was at the centre of the liberation struggle and resistance to white minority rule. Despite much opposition to White rule to halt white encroachment on black land in South Africa, blacks were systematically herded into restricted areas and homelands and their rights to equal opportunity denied. The ANC strived to improve the conditions of the blacks.

Its task became more difficult after the Nationalist Party victory of - when the grand machinery of Apartheid was put into motion and became law. Each race was given different privileges, some more and others less. The moment which changed the path of South African history came after long and tension-ridden negotiations held between and President Thabo Mbeki.

The election paved the way towards a new democratic dispensation and a new constitution for the country. The elections took place in a peaceful and festive atmosphere, though there were threats of political violence. The election was won by the ANC with The National Party NP received Wherever South Africans are across the globe, our hearts beat as one, as we renew our common loyalty to our country and our commitment to its future.

The birth of our South African nation has, like any other, passed through a long and often painful process. Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa and is the celebration and commemoration of the long struggle for democracy in the country. Freedom Day is a day of respect and commemoration. Freedom Day is celebrated annually on the 27th of April in honour of the auspicious day in when the first non-racial election was held in the country.

South Africa celebrates Freedom Day to mark the liberation of our country and its people from years of colonialism, White minority domination, politically enforced prejudice and Apartheid. Apartheid was officially implemented in South Africa in ; however, colonialism and oppression of the African majority had plagued various countries throughout the African continent since as early as the s.

Under the brutal Apartheid rule, indigenous people of colour in South Africa were denied the right to vote and hence did not have a say in the political governing and running of the country.