Eastern Cape province as the host of the National Freedom Day
celebrations
11 April 2007
For the past 13 years, South Africa has celebrated the achievement of
freedom and democracy on 27 April every year. The Minister of Arts and Culture,
Dr Z Pallo Jordan says freedom and democracy gave birth to a new culture of
human rights in South Africa. "Central to the new culture of human rights is
the promotion of equality in all spheres of life, non-sexism and non-racialism
to ensure that we continue building partnerships to eradicate poverty and
underdevelopment.
"Our collective commitment towards the achievement of these goals will
ensure that we indeed build an economy that that benefits all," says Minister
Jordan. Again this year, Freedom Day provides an opportunity for all sectors of
society to participate in the celebrations and recommit to the protection and
promotion of hard-won freedom.
"Our collective participation will further strengthen our democracy and
commitment to the appreciation of one another as we march towards social
cohesion," added Minister Jordan. The theme for Freedom Day celebrations is
"Renewing our pledge! A national partnership to build a better life for
all."
The theme evokes the national partnership, which brought about freedom and
democracy. It represents a new call to sustain the national effort that brought
about freedom, which is critical to consolidating our democracy while promoting
non-sexism and non-racialism. In his State of the Nation Address, President
Thabo Mbeki urged all South Africans to take part in "building social cohesion
and promoting a sense of belonging thereby reinforcing the glue that binds the
South African nation together." This means that social cohesion and national
identity cannot be achieved by government alone. All sectors of society should
join forces in a national partnership to build national unity.
President Mbeki added that, "the celebration of Freedom Day is no ordinary
celebration. It is a day when all of us need to pause and reflect on our past,
to remember the heroes and heroines who brought us freedom-those whose
sacrifices made it possible for all South Africans, black and white, to enjoy
the benefits of democracy and for all of us to prosper in conditions of peace
and stability." Thus the Freedom Day celebrations acknowledge the role played
by South Africans from different sectors in the achievement of freedom and in
contributing to the reconstruction and development of our society, building
social cohesion and accelerated shared growth.
The 2007 national Freedom Day celebrations will be held at Bisho stadium in
the Eastern Cape province. President Thabo Mbeki is expected to give a keynote
address. Cabinet ministers will be deployed to provincial events to encourage
interaction between government and the public.
For further details, contact:
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
11 April 2007
