Pretoria – The Gauteng Provincial Government has lined up a host of activities to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Freedom Day.
This year’s festivities are being held under the theme ‘Freedom is in your Hands: The year of OR Tambo’.
The provincial celebration on Thursday, 27 April, will be held in Atteridgeville in Tshwane, starting with a parade at Ga-Mothakga Resort, which will proceed to Mbolekwa Sport Complex.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga, along with other leaders and representatives from the African Diaspora, will lead scores of people in the two-kilometre colourful spectacle.
“The parade and the activities of the day are meant to showcase and celebrate our triumph as South Africa, starting 23 years ago in 1994 when thousands of citizens put democracy forward to bring about freedom,” said Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Faith Mazibuko.
Before the start of the parade at Ga-Mothakga Resort, Premier Makhura and Mayor Msimang will lay wreaths at the SS Mendi Memorial site situated at the Resort.
This is done to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of the SS Mendi, which claimed the lives of 616 South Africans, including 607 black troops serving in the South African Native Labour Contingent.
Following the parade, the Premier will address the people of Gauteng at Mbolekwa Sport Complex.
The formal proceedings will be followed by various activities, including a match between SA Legends and Legends from the African Diaspora. Entertainment will be provided by well-known and upcoming SA artists.
“As we celebrate more than two decades of our freedom and democracy, South Africans and the people of Gauteng will look back with pride and hope for more.
“We urge the community of Gauteng to come join us in the celebrations that are aimed at showcasing the cultural diversity enjoyed by all South Africans and highlight the importance of this day in contributing to nation building and social cohesion that freedom has made possible,” MEC Mazibuko said.
Event details
Phase 1: Hoisting of the SA Flag and Wreath Laying ceremony (09h15 to 09h50)
Phase 2: Parade (09h50 to 10h30)
Phase 3: Multicultural Indigenous Games Festival (10h30 to 11h00)
Phase 4: Formal Programme (11h00 to 12h00)
Phase 5: Social cohesion games (12h05 to 16h30)
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