Category: Events

A Message from Ambassador Lulama Smuts Ngonyama on the occasion of South Africa’s 28^th Freedom Day Celebration, 27 April 2022

South Africa: Consolidating Democratic Gains

The first democratic elections on 27 April 1994 gave birth to South Africa’s Constitutional Democracy. For the majority of South Africans who had never voted before, their dignity was restored, and the country transformed to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. This was underscored by the country’s first democratically elected President, Mr Nelson Mandela in his inaugural State of the Nation Address on 10 May 1994.

Through the power of the vote, South Africans made their stand against social, political and economic injustice and changed the course of the nation. 

South Africa celebrates its 28^th Freedom Day under the theme: “Consolidate our Democratic Gains.”

The Freedom Day celebration accords us the opportunity to reflect on the progress made thus far to transform the South African society. South Africa has made remarkable progress since 1994, but some challenges still persist. Inequality, poverty and unemployment remain impediments to South Africa’s goal of national unity and social cohesion. The South African Government however remains committed to serving all the people of South Africa and ensuring that everyone’s right to freedom and democracy is respected. 

South Africa celebrates its National Day with all its international partners not least of which, the government and citizens of Japan with whom South Africa enjoys well-established ties in many economic, social and technical areas of cooperation, including a consistent flow of new Japanese investments into its economy – for which South Africa is deeply grateful. 

Through the platform accorded to us by the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) South Africa is further certain that by working together as partners, with Japan and the African Continent, it will be possible to achieve the common goal of building an equitable world order and ensuring the fair distribution of the world’s resources.

As the world begins to emerge from under the weight of COVID-19, South Africa calls upon the international community to continue to work together across the various multilateral platforms in order to strengthen global collaboration. This will better position the international community to overcome the challenges before us and achieve the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, thus ensuring that no global citizen is left behind.

In celebrating its 28^th Freedom Day, South Africa reiterates its commitment to building a better South Africa and realising a better Africa and a better world.