Tiyani - Communications Minister Faith Muthambi has urged the people of Limpopo to use national Freedom Day on April 27 to deepen social cohesion and guard against the erosion of the values of the freedom struggle.
President Jacob Zuma will deliver a keynote address at the main Freedom Day celebration at Giyani stadium under the theme ‘Together building better communities - Local government is everybody’s business’.
“We urge all of you, young and old, to converge at Giyani stadium on April 27 to celebrate and deepen social cohesion… Remember the freedom we are enjoying today is more about emancipation from poverty, unemployment, inequality, racism and tribalism…
“We are 22 years into our new democracy. However, we are still a long way away from solving many of the legacies of apartheid but we are now faced with new challenges... You must remain vigilant against the erosion of the values of the freedom struggle.
“If you join those who are calling for the boycotting of Freedom Day, it will be very difficult for all of us to build an active citizenry that will continue working towards wiping out the legacy of racism, unemployment, poverty, inequality and most importantly, the promotion of the rights embodied in our Constitution,” she said.
Minister Muthambi was speaking to thousands of Tiyani ka Magoro residents during her departmental digital migration awareness imbizo on Sunday afternoon.
April 27 commemorates the day in 1994 when the first democratic election was held in South Africa. Today, South Africa celebrates Freedom Day to mark the liberation of the country and its people from a long period of colonialism and institutionalised racism.
“As government, we urge you to continue making South Africa a country at peace with itself and the world. This month, we remember that historic moment. We are celebrating our triumph over institutionalised racism, repression, state-sponsored violence and the enforced division of our people based on race or ethnicity,” the Minister said.
Minister Muthambi said the National Development Plan (NDP), which is the country’s socio-economic development blueprint being implemented by government, outlines the type of society “we want to be in 2030”.
She said guided by the NDP, government is working to build a future where every citizen of the country lives in a community with proper infrastructure – from roads, schools, clinics, recreational facilities, community halls, electricity, water and sanitation. - SAnews.gov.za
