Freedom Day 2019
Freedom Day 27 April 2019
Freedom Day is the commemoration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994. These were the first post-apartheid national elections to be held in South Africa where anyone could vote regardless of race. Prior to this, during apartheid, racial segregation which was enforced by the National Party, prevented any kind of inter-racial activity.
With new franchise rights, black Africans and other citizens elected Nelson Mandela to be South Africa’s new president in 1994. This officially ended apartheid in South Africa.
Source: https://www.gov.za/FreedomDay2019
10 facts about Freedom Day
Freedom Day on 27 April is an annual celebration of SA’s first non-racial democratic elections of 1994.
Freedom Day is much more than just another public holiday. It is an important day to commemorate the country’s history and the dawn of democracy.
It is significant because it marks the end of over 300 years of colonialism, segregation and white minority rule and the establishment of a new democratic government led by Nelson Mandela and a new state subject to a new constitution.
Here are 10 facts about Freedom Day that every South African should know.
1. The day celebrates freedom and commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994.
2. Some groups and social movements celebrate a version of Freedom Day called UnFreedom Day in which they mourn the unfreedom still experienced by the poor.
3. The elections were the first non-racial national elections where everyone of voting age, 18 or over, from any race group was allowed to vote.
4. Of South Africa’s 22.7 million eligible voters, 19.7 million voted in the 1994 national election.
5. The election was won by the ANC with 62.65% of the vote. The National Party (NP) received 20.39%, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) 10.54%, Freedom Front (FF) 2.2%, Democratic Party (DP) 1.7%, Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) 1.2% and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) 0.5%.
6. Since political freedom in 1994 many South Africans have striven to correct the wrongs of the past.
7. Nelson Mandela is considered the father of modern South Africa for the instrumental role he played in establishing a democracy and ending the oppressive rule of the white minority.
8. Freedom Day was first celebrated in 1995 and has since been celebrated annually on 27 April.
9. Government says Freedom Day is significant because it “marks the end of over 300 years of colonialism, segregation and white minority rule and the establishment of a new democratic government led by Nelson Mandela and a new state subject to a new constitution”.
10. For many South Africans Freedom Day brings back memories of the euphoria of 1994, when black, Indian and mixed-race voters stood in long meandering lines to cast their first ballots.
Source: https://citizen.co.za/news/news-cns/1908140/know-your-history-10-facts-about-freedom-day/