MEDIA RELEASE BY THE GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY STEERING COMMITTEE, ON THE NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS ON 27 APRIL 1995
"NATION BUILDING: LET IT BEGIN WITH ME"
Issued by: Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
April 27 is the first anniversary of Freedom Day - a day celebrating South Africa's transformation to a true democracy. The first Freedom Day will be celebrated as a Festival of Cultures nationally to express to South Africans and the world its sense of wonder, achievement and fulfillment. The theme for this first-time celebration will be "Nation Building: Let it begin with me". The celebrations will focus on the national symbols i.e. the flag and national anthems.
The two main celebrations will take place in Cape Town and Pretoria but the event will also be promoted by provincial and local authorities and communities. It will be a South African celebration involving the whole community. The Constitutional Assembly, Masakhane, RDP and the local elections campaigns will form an integral part of the events on national and regional level.
In Cape Town the celebrations will start off at the Grand Parade, where a short official ceremony will take place and Deputy President F W de Klerk will deliver a message. The rest of the celebrations will consist of various exciting events such as runners carrying national flags in fun run, bands, choirs, a best-dressed sail boat competition with balloon messages, etc. This will be followed by a cultural and musical entertainment programme by well-known performers on the Grand Parade, for the general public free of charge.
The celebrations in Pretoria will start with a short address by Gauteng Premier Tokyo Sexwale at Sammy Marks Square. A flag parade will then move in procession to the Union Buildings where President Nelson Mandela will address the crowd. A Cultural Carnival will be held during the day on the grounds of the Union Buildings, which will include song, dance, poetry, magicians, bands, music groups and stalls promoting many cultures, one nation.
Celebrations at the Pretoria and Cape Town events will include interfaith services.
The Government regards Freedom Day as a celebration of the nation and appeals to all South Africans to participate in the celebrations.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PRETORIA
DATE: 95.04.12
Enquiries: Mr J F T Bartmann
Tel: 314-6283 / 314-6129