It is all systems go for this year’s Freedom Day celebrations, with the main event to be held in Bloemfontein.
The 2018 celebrations will highlight former president Nelson Mandela and struggle stalwart Albertina Sisulu, who would both have turned 100 this year.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the main event at the Molemela stadium in Rocklands at noon Friday.
But some Rocklands residents say there is nothing to celebrate. “We are still complaining about water toilets as old people,” says a resident.
Another resident says, “We are happy to get our Freedom but still facing many challenges which include of lack of water. We are complaining because we don’t have water, toilets but we have shelter.”
Meanwhile, Limpopo provincial main Freedom Day celebration has kicked off at Tshifudi village outside Thohoyandou.
Several people, mainly young people, embarked on a five kilometre walk from Tshaulu police station to Tshifudi stadium where the provincial event will be held.
Busses transporting people to the event have started arriving from various parts of the province. Security is tight around the village and police have been posted around the area.
Premier Stanley Mathabatha will give the keynote address:
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President @CyrilRamaphosa is leading the #FreedomDay celebration today and will use the occasion to call on the nation to emulate our Struggle icons and ensure their legacy lives on. pic.twitter.com/f5L3S28QH4
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 27, 2018
Did you know? This year’s #FreedomDay is celebrated under the theme: “The year of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: towards full realisation of our freedom through radical socio-economic transformation”. pic.twitter.com/E28gW9oiHk
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 27, 2018
On this day, 27 April 1994 #NelsonMandela votes for the first time in his life, at Ohlange High School in KwaZulu-Natal #FreedomDay pic.twitter.com/LrwAhzQA2E
— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) April 27, 2018
27 April is not just another holiday. 27 April 1994 marks the beginning of political freedom in South Africa. Thousands have died. Millions suffered. The human rights of millions were violated before #FreedomDay was achieved. #FreedomDay2018 pic.twitter.com/qhNiyoAwDA
— Christo (@ChristoThurston) April 27, 2018