This year’s Freedom Day celebration at Jeppe High School for Boys had a deeper meaning as the matric learners were encouraged to ensure they vote in tomorrow’s elections.
Freedom Day marks South Africa’s first non-racial democratic elections in 1994.
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This year’s guest speakers were Jeppe Old Boy Wandile Ngcaweni, class of 2012, who is a junior researcher of political economy, and former Gauteng MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi.
Ngcaweni said the youth should not take freedom and voting for granted and encouraged them to make their mark on Election Day.
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“Matrics, I hope you have all registered to vote. You have a responsibility to ensure this democracy grows stronger and delivers liberation to all South Africans as it promises,” said Ngcaweni.
He said schools have a role to play in teaching learners about the history of the country in order for them to understand the freedom.
“During Grade Eight orientation weeks, our schools should not only focus on their respective school’s historical glories. Schools need to understand that representation matters,” said Ngcaweni.
“We must bring the education about freedom to schools. Schools like Jeppe are racially, culturally and religiously diverse,” said Ngcaweni.
Lesufi said he is proud of schools like Jeppe Boys that understands the importance of the country’s history and the role it plays in helping the country move forward.
“At the age of 17 years old, I was already running from the police and that meant not sleeping at my parents’ house.
“I decided to spend one night at home and the police came knocking at my parents’ door. My mother opened the door as she was not aware that I was in the house.
“The police conducted a search and found me in the house. They drove me to an open field and dug a hole as they were about to bury me alive. They asked me a question that saved my life. Why are you fighting for freedom?
“My response was that I dream of a country that is non-racial and I believed it to be possible,” Lesufi shared with the matric boys.
“I still believe in that dream and will continue fighting for it.”
Jeppe Boys headmaster Dale Jackson said he is proud that Jeppe is known for promoting and supporting diversity.
“We are the only school in Gauteng that celebrates Freedom Day. We want our learners to understand the importance of our country’s history,” said Jackson.
“I’m a supporter of all the Jeppe schools and what they stand for,” said Lesufi.
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