Freedom Day Celebration

Freedom Day is South Africa’s celebration of the first democratic elections. This year, Africa Unite partnered with InkuluFreeHeid, other organizations as well as local Universities in planning an event on this day that reflected on the simple question: What is freedom? What does freedom mean for you? What would you like to see in terms of absolute social cohesion in South- Africa? The main focus of the event was soap boxing which is giving young people a platform to voice their individual opinions. The purpose of this soap boxing was to expose and create a platform for young people to express their different views based on the questions.

Africa unite team arrived at Khayelitsha Department of Coffee at eleven after dropping off at the Khayelitsha train station. freedomTogether with Inkhulu Free Heild, Africa Unite quickly set and marked the official opening of the event since there were a formidable number of people who were already being entertained by a local dj. The soapbox proved to be a significant and perfect platform not only for the youth but also other elderly members stepped up to share with the vibrant crowd what freedom day meant to them.

As we approached the lunch hour mark, the venue became smaller because a lot of people started to show up. freedom 2The event offered a perfect platform for social cohesion because the crowd was highly diversified in terms of races, backgrounds, culture, ethnicity, nationalities, age and above all what freedom day meant to them. Participants also offered diverse activities in an attempt to celebrate and define what freedom day is. Activities such as dancing, singing, speeches and poster printing by children marked the entire course of the event. Though views shared by participants tended to differ sometimes, it is those differences which made the event an integrating and interesting platform

A number of speakers stood up to air their views. Alain from Africa Unite defined freedom day from a refugee’s and human rights perspective, where he alluded that human beings are the same despite ones nationality, social or biological orientation. freedom 3Oswarld also from Africa Unite dwelt more on the economic freedom in his speech. Other interesting participants included a Cape Town university female student who clearly denied that the notion of freedom has not been attained and it will remain a fallacy in South Africa if the young people of today do not begin with the change. Different languages were used such as Xhosa, English and French with readily available translators helping with the barriers. The event was officially closed around 16:00 after a classic live instrument performance by a local Rastafarian group, who left the crowed asking for more.

freedom 4To reiterate, the event was highly success because, it managed to socially integrate different people under the theme of freedom, the crowd turn up was high and we managed to capture varying views on what freedom day means to people living within South Africa.

For more pictures please click here

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a comment