National Freedom Day celebrations Pietersburg Rugby Stadium Northern Province

27 April 2001

Programme

Master of Ceremonies: Mr Sello Moloto, MEC of Health and Welfare

• Cultural performances
  - Jesus Warriors
  - Ndebele Dance
  - Indian Dance

• Performance by Rebecca Malope

• Arrival of guests
• Parade (greeted inside the stadium by the Minister and the Premier)
  - SAPS band
  - 16 people representing the different cultural groups of the Northern Province
  - 120 school children carrying banners with the theme
  - 2 drum majorette bands
  - Adult choir
  - All cultural groups that will be part of the programme

• The Parade leaves the field
• All guests to be seated before arrival of The President

• The National Salute. The choir and the public join in singing the Anthem
• MC announces a Minute of Silence
• Airforce display by the SANDF
• National Salute for the withdrawal of the Ceremonial Guard of Honour.

• 3 Cultural groups
  - Tswana dance
  - Mahlasedi Traditional dance
  - Tshikona

• Word of welcome by the Premier, Mr. Ramatlhodi

• Cultural performance: Kiss me Darling

• Dr Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology introduces the President

• Poem by Lesufile Dithala Bodiba

• Address by President Mbeki

• Cultural performance by Xincayincayi (Tsonga traditional dance)

    12:55

• Vote of thanks by Mr Thabo Makunyane, Mayor of Polokwane

• President leaves while Sakila sa Mdakathi (Swazi dance) take place.
  (The dancers can set up in such a way that the President and podium group can walk through them and thereby acknowledge them.)

• After the invited guests have departed, the informal programme will continue:
  - Fhulufelo - Tshikona
  - Ukuthawuza Dance
  - Cadets
  - Muchongolo

• Performance by Mandoza

Free transport is available on 27 April for journalists who want to cover the event.

Enquiries may be directed to Mack Lewele at (012) 337 8173 or 082 450 5076

Issued by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, 23 April 2001