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25 Apr 2012

Freedom Day is observed on 27 April to commemorate the first democratic elections held on that date in 1994. This year is the 18th anniversary of democratic South Africa.

Friday's events and commemorations will fall under the national theme "Working together to build unity and prosperity for all". As declared by the office of the president the Honourable Jacob Zuma.

It is an occasion for the country to remember and celebrate struggle icons and honour those who continue to be committed to transformation and to building a better life for all of us. Celebrations around this special day create awareness that freedom and human rights are for all human beings, regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Though there are still lot of pockets of poverty, lack of proper education, lack of employment and basic service delivery, this day reaffirms our freedom and ensures that the violation of such rights shall never occurs again. As we celebrate South Africa's liberation, this Freedom Month, and our children get ready to define our future, let us be inspired to continue building the nation and ensure further that there is peace and social cohesion among African people at large.

Let us remember that through our acquired freedom, constitutional institutions such as the CRL Rights Commission were established and mandated to promote and embrace the cultural, religious and linguistic rights of South Africans at large.

As the country prepares to mark the 18th anniversary of Freedom Day, lets us remember that freedom came at a price, Freedom day should be a day to pay tribute to the men and women who left their homes to participate in a peaceful elections in 1994 taking a stand against the structures of apartheid such as the pass laws.

For more information contact:
Botle Letsebe
Marketing and Communications Officer
Tel: 011 537 7625
Cell: 079 238 1485

Issued by: Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities
25 Apr 2012

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