Pretoria - South Africans from all walks of life will today celebrate Freedom Day to mark the liberation of the country and its people from a long period of colonialism and apartheid.
On 27 April 1994, millions of South Africans for the first time exercised their hard-won right to vote. Since that fateful day, South Africans have had four free and fair national elections.
To mark the day thousands of South Africans across the country are expected to celebrate the 16 years of freedom under the theme, "Together deepening our democracy and celebrating our freedom."
The celebrations will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela.
The day will give South Africans a chance to reflect on the path to building a united, non-racial, non-sexist country.
It will also serve as a reminder that nation building requires every South African, young and old, to recognise and live by the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
The main event will be at the Union Buildings, where President Jacob Zuma will address the masses.
The festivities at the Union Buildings will include a cultural parade, a performance and parade by the military band, a fly-past, messages from political parties in Parliament and a cultural performance.
Recent South African Music Awards winners such as Big Nuz and Die Heuwels Fantasties will also perform at the event.
As part of the celebrations, Zuma will in the evening confer National Orders on both international and South African citizens who have distinguished themselves by contributing to democracy and freedom in South Africa and the world.
Accomplished musician Hugh Masekela will be among those bestowed with orders as well as FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos.
Provinces are expected to hold their own Freedom Day events, also under the same theme.
In Gauteng, the City of Joburg has organized the Back to the City concert, where hundreds of young fans are expected to attend, to celebrate the day.
In North West, Premier Maureen Modiselle will join hundreds of people when they celebrate Freedom Day at the Piet Plessis Sports Ground. Modiselle is expected to deliver a key note address.
The Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Department and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will also host a series of events. Their main celebration will be held in Port Elizabeth at the Finnis Sports Complex in Bethelsdorp.
In the Free State, the celebrations will be held at Koppies, where Premier Ace Magashule is expected to deliver the key note address. While Rural Development and Land Reform Minister - Gugile Nkwinti and Sport and Recreation Minister, Makhenkhesi Stofile, various MEC's and Mayors are expected to attend the event.
The Department of Arts and Culture has urged all South Africans, political parties, NGOs, the private sector, civil society and religious groups to take part in the Freedom Day celebrations.
