Pretoria - Today South Africans countrywide are celebrating the first democratic elections on 27 April 1994 when millions of people, for the first time, exercised their right to vote.
BuaNews asked ordinary South Africans how they will commemorate the day and what freedom meant to them.
Sibusiso Ndala, 38, from Pretoria, who was in high spirit , said thou some people see it as another holiday he will celebrate the day by dressing up in his Bafana Bafana gear and making his way to the Union Buildings.
"Despite the rain and cold, I am going to the celebrations at the Union Buildings ... I'm proudly South African and this is how I can thank the many who died during the struggle."
Matsatsi More, 30, said thou she had no plans for the day, it was important to recognise and celebrate the day as it brought better lives to all those who were oppressed.
For Tau Moeg, 26, freedom to him meant that young people now had the opportunity to education. He said the day meant he could move around without any fear of racial attacks and this was all thanks to Mandela. "I can go to white areas and have mixed racial friends."
Thokozile Mkhize, 49, from Tshwane, said although she acknowledged the good work government has been doing in improving the lives of the people; she was concerned about slow service delivery of houses.
Another resident from Tshwane, Steven Ndawo, 32, had a different opinion. He said although it has been 16 years since apartheid, freedom is far from absolute. The legacy of apartheid is still evident in poverty, racial inequalities and socio-economic disparities.
In some parts of the country people have moved on, but in others people are behind, he said.
Other people highlighted the freedom of speech, movement and the right to education as some of the many benefits citizens are enjoying 16 years into democracy.
