Search SAnews

30 Years of Freedom and Democracy

 

In 2024, South Africans mark 30 years since the historic election of Wednesday, 27th of April 1994. This day, now known as Freedom Day, is commemorated every year to honour those unsung heroes and heroines who fought for freedom and paved the way for an equal, representative and non-racial nation.

The commemoration of this milestone is among the most important public events in South Africa’s post-democratic history.

During the month of April, South Africans are encouraged to reflect on the progress made over the democratic journey thus far, and consider how democracy can be further strengthened.

 

News article highlights

 

VIEW | Launch of the 30 Years of Democracy Review Report 

 

 



Present day South Africa at a glance | A quick overview of the country in numbers

Census 2022 infographic.   Census 2022 infographic.
Census 2022 infographic.   Census 2022 infographic.
Census 2022 infographic.   Census 2022 infographic.
Census 2022 infographic.   Census 2022 infographic.
Census 2022 infographic.   Census 2022 infographic.
Census 2022 infographic.   Census 2022 infographic.

 



VIEW | Take a trip down memory lane with images from some of the most prolific moments over the past 30 years of democracy.

The first democratically elected President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, with his Cabinet and Deputy Ministers. The first democratically elected President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, with his Cabinet and Deputy Ministers.
President Nelson Mandela visits the United Arab Emirates. President Nelson Mandela visits the United Arab Emirates.
Members of the SANDF stand guard as President Nelson Mandela's body leaves 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria. South Africans attend the body viewing of President Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings.
South Africans attend the body viewing of President Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings. Irish rock star and UN ambassador, Bono, attends President Mandela's funeral.
Family members and dignitaries at the funeral of President Mandela. South Africans queue to vote in the 2009 General Elections.
Former President Thabo Mbeki with his wife Ms Zanele Mbeki attending the Presidential Inauguration in 2014. President Ramaphosa taking the oath at his inauguration in 2019.
President Ramaphosa with the leaders of BRICS at the Summit in 2023. President Ramaphosa addresses the nation for the first time on the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020..
The vaccination of healthcare workers in South Africa against coronavirus kicked off on 17 February 2021 at Khayelitsha District Hospital in Cape Town, where professional nurse at the facility’s labour ward, Zoliswa Gidi-Dyosi, became the very first healthcare worker in the country to get the jab. President Ramaphosa gets vaccinated against Coronavirus.
President Ramaphosa lifts the Webb Ellis Cup with the Springboks, who in 2023 became the first team in the world to win the Rugby World Cup four times. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, 27 July 2022, celebrated Banyana Banyana’s victory in winning South Africa’s first ever Women's Africa Cup of Nations
   

WATCH | Video highlights from some memorable events in the country's democratic dispensation.







WATCH | A country at work: Snippets of some of government's key programmes aimed at developing South Africa and cementing its position on the world map. 

   
   

VIEW | A snap shot of some of South Africa's undertakings that have aided government's development efforts.

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opens Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban in November 2023. The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala joined by Eastern Cape MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Ntombovuyo Nkopane visit the EPWP Road Maintenance Project at Lady Frere in the Eastern Cape in August 2023.
Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa visits Palmiet Power Station in Western Cape in February 2024. Palmiet is part of Eskom’s generation peaking fleet, and uses pump storage technology to generate electricity. President Cyril Ramaphosa commemorating International Nelson Mandela Day by cleaning up Chetty River in Emlotheni Township, Veeplaas, as part of the Cleaning Rivers Campaign.
Deputy Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga during the public transport route handover in Thaba Nchu in April 2022. The Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele accompanied by District Mayor Nxumalo embarks on a two-day inaugural District Development Model visit to Harry Gwala District Municipality in April 2022.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia De Lille and Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele conduct an oversight visit to the N2 Nodal Development project in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in March 2022. President Cyril Ramaphosa assessing progress made by the National Department of Transport on rural access road project that links several district municipalities in Limpopo in February 2022.
President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya on a State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane in November 2021. President Cyril Ramaphosa on a Four-Nation tour of West Africa in November 2021.
   

30 Years of Freedom.

28978 views