South Africa marks 29 years of democracy

THIS year, April 27 marks the 29th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections.

On this day, South Africa celebrates Freedom Day, which is commemorated every year to honour those unsung heroes and heroines, who fought for freedom and paved the way for an equal, representative, non-racial society.

The day also honours the masses of South Africans who resisted and suffered under apartheid and faced death, injury and repression from the security forces. Many others battled forced removals, discrimination and other injustices, which the global community classified as a crime against humanity.

Since there is no specific way of celebrating this day, many families might have a special meal or a braai (barbecue) to commemorate it. There might also be local parades and street parties to mark the day.

This year’s Freedom Day celebrations coincide with the 27th anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution as the supreme law of the country. On this day, 27 years ago, millions of people of all races voted in the South African first fully democratic election.

Voting took place during April 26–29, 1994. April 27 is now celebrated in South Africa as Freedom Day, a national holiday.

Facts about the 1994 elections:

• At stake were 400 seats in the National Assembly and 90 seats in the Legislature.
• 19,726,579 votes were counted, and 193,081 were rejected as invalid.
• Voters cast their ballots for a political party, not for individual candidates.
• A total of 19 political parties took part in the election.
• The number of votes won by a party determined the number of representatives that the party would have in the National Assembly.
• The African National Congress won the election with 62.7% of the votes.
• The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) won the majority of the votes in KwaZulu-Natal.
• The National Party won in the Western Cape province.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the 2023 National Freedom Day event, which will be held at Manzilpark Stadium in the City of Matlosana, North West. Ramaphosa will lead the national celebrations observed under the theme, ‘Consolidating and Safeguarding Democratic Gains’.

“The day will feature cultural performances, a South African Airforce fly-past and other ceremonial and celebratory elements,” the presidency said in a statement.

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