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South Africa: NW Communities Flock in Numbers to Celebrate Their Freedom
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
27 April 2008
Posted to the web 28 April 2008
Kagiso Metswamere
Kgabalatsane
In a bright, hot sunny Sunday morning, people flocked in their numbers to the Leopards' Sports Grounds at the Madibeng Local Municipality to celebrate national Freedom Day.
Old and young were decked out in colorful attire, most of them sitting on their chairs under the big white tent arranged for the event.
Various cultural groups from around the area entertained the crowd with different performances, including kwaito and traditional Indian and Setswana dances. Exhibitions by different provincial and national government departments as well as providing services to people from the mobile units are also in progress.
This year's celebration is held under the theme: "Business Unusual - All hands on deck to speed up change." Premier Edna Molewa was accompanied by various dignitaries, including MEC for Finance Maureen Modiselle, MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Ndleleni Duma and MEC for Social Development Nikiwe Mangqu.
Thabiso Kabare, 20, from Mafikeng is one of the local artists who have already entertained the audience while they were waiting for the celebration to commence. He told BuaNews that freedom day to him meant celebrating the fact that he could write and produce any music that he wanted. "I am very happy to be living in this country because there are people in other countries who cannot enjoy their freedom like we do in South Africa," Mr Kabare said. Also attending the celebration, Dorcus Ramorula, 78, from Kgabalatsane a mother of six told BuaNews that living in South Africa today is better that living before 1994 and urged children to use all the advantages put before them.
"Children of today are living in better times; government is creating opportunities every year. I just wish that our children can make use of these opportunities. "Freedom Day to me means creating opportunities for our children, government so far is doing just that, they are really trying hard to better the lives of the people," she said. Local Mabaza, 50, from Helrone also told BuaNews that Freedom Day is very much important to him because there are people who died for this day. "I do respect this day, people like our former President, Nelson Mandela has made a lot of sacrifices for us to be free. "Most of us are now enjoying our work, families and doing all the things that we would have not done if it was the former government," he said.
Mr Mabaza however said crime, high unemployment rate, and corruption are some of the things that hamper the South African freedom. "We do have some challenges especially of crime and unemployment that worries me a lot.
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"I think we should unit as the country to combat all this things to make our country a complete free country," Mr Mabaza said.
When will I be able to celebrate mine ?
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