Make your freedom count
Freedom holds different meanings to different people. For millions of South Africans the word freedom goes beyond its literal meaning.It means equality, a non-racial society, freedom of movement, access to education, healthcare, a home, and employment.
This year marks 17 years since South Africa held its first democratic elections. The year 1994 saw millions of black South Africans vote for the first time, a move that led to the demise of apartheid and its policies.
This year's Freedom Day themed "Working together to unite the nation, promote democracy and protect freedom" comes just days before South Africans take to the polls again to make their mark in the Local Government Elections which take place on 18 May.
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has since February conducted a Youth Voter Education Campaign in different communities across South Africa to encourage youth to vote in the upcoming elections to preserve the freedom they fought for and attained in 1994. Led by the Executive Chairperson, Andile Lungisa and the board of directors, the voter education campaign encouraged young people to register and vote in numbers to ensure that the government they get is the government they want.
It is on this breath that the NYDA would like to take this opportunity to remind South Africans once again, especially young people, to exercise their right to vote for the upkeep of the freedom that young people before them fought for. The NYDA also reminds young people that, as has been said by various people in the past, with the dawn of a new South Africa both the oppressor and oppressed were liberated. Therefore young people of all races are encouraged to join in the national commemoration event at Union Buildings and other government commemoration events on Freedom Day.
For more information contact
Linda Mbongwa
Cell: 082 3153217
Siyabonga Magadla
Cell: 083 686 9016
National Youth Development Agency commemoration of Freedom Day
