GEORGE NEWS - In South Africa, 27 April is celebrated as Freedom Day. It commemorates the day in 1994, when all people of our rainbow nation voted together for a democratic government for the very first time.
These elections also saw the election of the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. This year marks 25 years of freedom and democracy in the country.
Prior to 1994 the right to vote excluded non-white citizens. Many fought hard for democracy. Some, such as Steve Biko, paid the ultimate price while others, including Mandela and Robert Sobukwe, spent many years in prison as a result.
The 1994 elections marked the first time everyone of voting age (18 and up), from all race groups, including foreign citizens who permanently reside in South Africa, were allowed to vote.
Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa - a day of glory and remembrance for all South Africans that marks the end of the period of colonialism and apartheid.
Did you know?
• Apartheid "officially" started in South Africa in 1948, but colonialism and oppression of the African majority had plagued South Africa since 1652. After decades of resistance, a stalemate between the liberation movement and the apartheid government was reached in 1988.
• The ANC, South African Communist Party (SACP), Pan African Congress (PAC) and other organisations were unbanned on 2 February 1990, and a non-racial constitution was eventually agreed upon and adopted in 1993.
• The ANC was voted into power on 27 April 1994, and Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the President of South Africa on 10 May.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
