Free State Provincial Government, together with Phumulela Local Municipality hosted Freedom Day celebrations at Frankfort 27 April 2011. The theme of this year’s celebrations was Working Together to Unite the Nation, Promote Democracy and Protest Freedom.
Freedom Day is an annual celebration that takes place on 27 April to mark the South Africa's first non-racial democratic elections of 1994. The whole nation takes pride in knowing that much progress has been made since 1994 to overcome the legacy of the past, to better the lives of the people and unite the country.
Premier Magashule in his address said, “Freedom we have today was fought for by many of our people who, many of them had lost their lives in this long and difficult journey to freedom.
Premier urged Free Staters and the nation at large to remember always “the men and women who dedicated their lives to the cause of freedom” so that the country is free from any forms of oppression and injustice.
A satellite link of the President Zuma’s address was also screened live from Kgothala Park, where about 5 000 people witnessed the ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
In his speech, President Zuma said that Freedom Day marked “the liberation of blacks from subjugation and of whites from guilt and fear, leading to the formation of one South African nation, united in its diversity, colourfulness and vibrancy”.
This freedom had been bought “through the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices of scores of freedom fighters, ordinary South Africans and freedom-loving people in Africa and the world”, Zuma said.
In addition, Zuma said that there should be no corner of our country in which children are still denied education while we celebrate freedom
Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors and Mayors, dignitaries, communities and government officials were later entertained by a mixed blend of entertainment activities including music by local artists and Teboho and Friends.
Before the Freedom Day Celebrations at Kgothala Park, Premier earlier that day launched a Kraft paper mill project in Phum elela Industrial Area.
The launch is one of the pronouncements that Premier made during the State of the Province Address in which he committed government to identify both long-term and short term interventions that would help create jobs for communities and fight poverty. Over 1000 permanent jobs as well as 200 jobs will be created during the construction phase.
The success of this project was made possible by critical roles of other important government institutions including Department of Trade and Industry, which has committed R 48 million to the project while Industrial Development Corporation will inject R 600 million as a strategic partner of government.
- Emphasis was focused on mass participation and true celebration of the spirit of freedom and democracy. The following activities also provided invaluable services to communities:
- Exhibitions by various programmes such as library services as well as museum and heritage services were in display to showcase the upcoming centenary celebrations in 2012, arts and culture craft exhibitions and cultural performances
- Sport and Recreation activities (Indigenous, elderly and disability games)
- Social Services provision by the South African Social Security Agency (grants registrations) and other state institutions/departments.
Source: Free State Provincial Government
