Freedom Day 2016

Freedom Month 2016

In April every year, we celebrate Freedom Month in South Africa, and this month will forever resonate in the history of our nation as the month that saw the first democratic elections in 1994, which gave birth to freedom for all in our  constitutional democracy.

April is a time to reflect on the strides we’ve made in achieving the vision of a better life for all. The 2016 theme for Freedom Month is “Together Building Better Communities – Local Government is Everybody’s Business.”

Freedom Day

Freedom Day is celebrated on 27 April every year, and it commemorates the first  democratic elections in South Africa in 1994 and celebrates democracy in South Africa. 

The 2016 Freedom Day commemoration coincides with the:

• 20^th anniversary of the signing of the final draft of the Constitution into law,
• 40^th anniversary of the June 16 Student Uprising, and
• 60^th anniversary of the 1956 Women's march to the Union Buildings.

The Constitution laid the foundation for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people.

This year’s celebration also coincides with South Africa holding its fifth municipal or local government elections. Municipal elections are held every 5 years to elect councillors who’ll be responsible for governing municipalities for the next 5 years.

The right to vote is a fundamental right enshrined in the Bill of Rights and government has called on all South Africans to honour our history and continue to strengthen the legitimacy of our democracy. 

Our National Symbols

Listen to our National Anthem

national_anthem.mp3

Moving forward together

On Freedom Day it’s important that we not only enjoy our freedom, but take responsibility to protect our democracy for future generations. As we celebrate the 22^nd year of our democracy, let’s use the key messages of this year’s theme to get involved in our communities to make our country and province Better Together.

You and your family can celebrate national Freedom Day by doing one of these activities in the province and celebrate your culture and how far both our individual and collective freedom has come since 1994.

• Take a boat ride to and historical tour of Robben Island.
• Visit any of the Iziko Museums.
• Join in the fun at the Oranjefeest Cape Town in Hout Bay.
• Enjoy the province’s beautiful botanical gardens, like the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden or Harold Porter Botanical Garden.
• Go for a hike with the family.
• Have some fun in the sun at one of our 9 blue flag beaches.
• Experience game viewing, bush walks, canoeing at one of the 7 South African National Park s in the province.