19 April 2007
Freedom Day celebrates the vision, determination and hope of all South
Africans and all others that led and contributed to the achievements of our
democracy. The Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation in
conjunction with Nkomazi Municipality will be hosting the celebration at
Kamhlushwa Stadium, Nkomazi Municipality on Friday, 27 April 2007.
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 equality for
all in all spheres of life, 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 as we
march forward towards social cohesion and building partnerships to eradicate
poverty and underdevelopment.
Freedom Day provides an opportunity for all sectors of society to
participate in the celebrations and collectively strengthen our democracy,
recommit, protect and promote our hard-won freedom
In his State of the Nation address (SONA), 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."
The Premier of the Mpumalanga Province, honourable TSP Makwetla, the hosting
MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation Mr Jabu Mahlangu and civic organisations
will attend the event. People are expected to attend in large numbers to
celebrate the event.
The occasion will be graced by the international acclaimed artist Oliva
Mtukudzi and provincial artists such as Inspiration Jazz Band, Nkomazi Jazz
Band, Dunamis Jazz Band, Tuksa Shalom and Legento. There will be feast of
traditional music too. The event will start at 08h00.
For more information contact: Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and
Recreation
Eliot Matsebula
(Programme Manager)
Tel: (013) 766 5200
Cell: 082 825 1048
Samuel Mpatlanyane
Head: Communications
Tel: (013) 766 5014
Fax: (013) 766 8253
Cell: 082 923 0550
Issued by: Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mpumalanga
Provincial Government
19 April 2007
