POLOKWANE – South Africa is celebrating 21 years of freedom as a democratic country this year and Review asked high school learners from Hadashah Learning Centre what Freedom Day was, what it meant to them and whether it was important that we celebrate the day.
Itumeleng Masopoga said Freedom Day was the day that God decided to unite black and white people using Nelson Mandela.
“Freedom Day united South Africa and stopped racism. We are now able to walk freely in the streets anytime of the day and we have the privilege of attending white schools. It is important that we celebrate Freedom Day so that we can always remember how far South Africa has come.”
Mitchell Petzer said: “Freedom Day is the day that freedom came to South Africa and the first democratic elections where black people were allowed to vote, were held. I do not know how Apartheid was, as we are lucky to have been born free and we can have friends of any race and attend the same school. It is important to celebrate Freedom Day so we can appreciate each other and love one another”.
Dakalo Mokoditoa said Freedom Day meant that all South Africans were free from Apartheid. “Freedom Day gave us the freedom to do a lot of things that our grandparents could not do. We can now afford good quality education and we can choose which careers we want to go into.”
Matthews Rachabedi said Freedom Day was the day that Nelson Mandela was made president and black people were set free.
“Since then black and white people can live together as one in South Africa. We now have the freedom to go anywhere we want, anytime we want. We have freedom of speech and better job opportunities.”
Gomolemo Mashangoane said Freedom Day was the day Nelson Mandela was released from prison and South Africa became a democratic country, with everybody having the right to vote.
“We young ones must be glad to be born free and after 1994 because we are now living in unity despite skin colour or race. We can go to the beach without the beach being separated for white and black people. And we can play any sport we want. It is important that we celebrate Freedom Day because we are now all equal and free.”
Moteba Raphadu said: “Freedom Day is a day of celebration, the day we were given freedom by Christ to become one in South Africa and be proud to be South African. Freedom Day means we forgive and forget so that we can carry on with our lives. We are now free to do anything we want to do. We have the freedom to go anywhere and freedom of speech. We should celebrate this day because it was a special day in South Africa”.
Tebogo Shoroma said Freedom Day was the day that Nelson Mandela was released from prison and the day meant a lot to South Africans.
“We no longer have to walk around carrying our IDs and we are free to worship God.”
Nkhumishe Maloba said: “Freedom Day is a day when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and all the Apartheid and separation in South Africa stopped.
“We are now able to go to any school we want, we have freedom of speech and we are able to walk around freely in town anytime of the day”.
