Freedom Day: A celebration of SA’s independence from apartheid - Mantashe

JOHANNESBURG - As the country observes 31 years of democracy, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe says Freedom Day is a celebration of South Africa’s independence from colonialism and apartheid.

Mantashe was speaking at the AJ Swanepoel Stadium in Mpumalanga on Sunday, where the government is hosting the official National Freedom Day commemoration.

The minister is representing President Cyril Ramaphosa, who could not attend the event after catching a mild flu.

The 27th of April marks the day South Africa held its first ever democratic elections in 1994, after the fall of the apartheid government.

Mantashe says Freedom Day should be seen as a celebration of how far the country has come, following three centuries of sustained colonialism and apartheid against black people.

“Our history may be scarred with colonialism and apartheid, but our is a history of courage, resilience, determination to prevail against considerable odds, that’s what we are celebrating. That we are not colonised, we are not under apartheid. We are free. We are struggling against all the odds, and we must continue struggling.”