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As part of celebrating 20 Years of Freedom and Democracy in South Africa; the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) is initiating a Tell Your Story Campaign.

The campaign is a collaboration with a range of partners with a view to share our unique stories as a nation, record our history and ultimately build social cohesion and nationhood.

This campaign seeks to encourage South Africans – from all walks of life - to share their personal stories on what it was like growing up during apartheid, what changes democracy has brought – and their vision for the future.

Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi said “Many ordinary South Africans never had the opportunity to share the painful stories of the past or reflect on what changes democracy has brought for them. The Tell Your Story campaign is a platform where people can share these experiences openly with others so that differences might be overcome.  It is through this opening up that we will be able to begin to work towards building a socially cohesive South Africa where citizens are united. We can bridge divisions by sharing our stories”.

Government encourages all citizens, businesses, non-governmental organisations, civil society, religious and cultural groups to host “Tell Your Story” events or publish their stories.

Minister Muthambi said “for this campaign to be successful, we need South Africans from all ages, races, genders, culture groups, sexual orientation and social status to actively participate”.

The Department of Arts and Culture, has already taken this campaign on board and Heritage month will be celebrated under the theme “Celebrating 20 Years of Democracy: Tell Your Story that Moves South Africa Forward”.  

GCIS has also established partnerships with a range of organisations that throughout September, will host their own Tell Your Story events to celebrate 20 years of freedom and democracy and build social cohesion.

Some notable events include:

• 3 September: 30th Anniversary of the Vaal Uprisings: The Vaal Civic Association organised a stayaway, school boycott and march for 3 September 1984. These led to clashes with both police and township councilors leaving thirty people dead.  This Vaal Uprising heralded the beginning of a period of popular protest against the apartheid government and changed existing power relations. This event will take place in Sebokeng, in the Vaal Triangle.
• 18 September:  A Public Sector Event; “Telling the story of the civil service” at Freedom Park.
• 20 to 21 September Dialogue on 20 years of Democracy and Tell Your Story (Social Cohesion Ambassadors and Youth) at Mmabana Arts Centre, Mahikeng.
• Vodacom historical exhibition exploring the history of the company as well as of country at VodaWorld, Midrand. (when is the exhibition taking place?)

Members of the public are encouraged to share their stories on twitter @TellYourStoriesZA using the hashtag #CelebratingSAStories or to send these to electronic@gcis.gov.za for publishing on our website and facebook page. 

Stories can be written or recorded.