Remembering Freedom Day
The Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, has called on Mpumalanga to honour Freedom Day by participating in the upcoming local government elections.
For the first time South Africa celebrates Freedom Day (April 27) under different circumstances because of Covid-19.
Mpumalanga celebrated this historic day in Balfour in the Dipaleseng Local Municipality on Tuesday where Mtshweni-Tsipane made this clarion call.
“On this day, 27 years ago, millions of South Africans from diverse backgrounds gathered at voting stations across the country to cast their vote and birth our democratic rainbow nation underpinned by our world-renowned Constitution.
“As we commemorate this important day in the history of our young democracy, I urge the people of Mpumalanga to pay homage to the valiant heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price for our freedom to end of the crime against humanity that was apartheid.
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“Let us honour this day and all those who paid the price by exercising our rights to vote in the upcoming local government elections,” appealed Mtshweni-Tsipane.
This year, Freedom Day was celebrated under the theme “The Year of Charlotte Maxeke: The Meaning of Freedom Under Covid-19.”
“We also owe it to all those who died at the hands of Covid-19 pandemic. I urge all our communities to strengthen our democracy by participating in the elections and vote. Let us remain committed to preserving constitutionally protected human rights. It is our responsibility to achieve equity and equality in our lifetime,” she stressed.
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“Going in numbers to the polls will serve as a victory for our struggle icon, Charlotte Maxeke, who would be turning 150 this year. She laid a foundation on which the country’s democracy was founded on and it is befiting that we honour her spirit and legacy by going to the polls and voting,” she added.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the local government elections will take place on Wednesday October 27.
This will be the sixth time since democracy that eligible voters will get to elect leadership and public representatives at local government.
