The first democratic elections in South Africa took place on 27 April 1994. This was a day where many citizens could for the first time ever cast their vote. Ever since then, 27 April is known as Freedom Day.
Freedom Day is celebrated all over South Africa in various ways. In Caledon, the local museum organises a Freedom Day walk in the Wildflower Gardens every year.
Marlon Sauls, Education Officer of the Caledon Museum, says: “Freedom Day, among other commemorative days during the year, is celebrated by the Caledon Museum on an annual basis by hosting a Freedom Walk in the tranquillity of the Caledon Wildflower Gardens.”
“This community project also seeks to foster greater social cohesion, community-building and a shared identity as well as to strive as a community for inclusive socio-economic development, whilst ensuring that we combat scourges such as all forms of discrimination, all related intolerances as well as gender-based violence,” said Sauls.
Sauls encouraged the youth to have conversations with their family elders in order to understand the significance of the day and why it is so important to celebrate Freedom Day.
The cold and drizzly weather did not discourage a group of adults and children to participate in this Freedom Walk. Prior to the walk Lizël Kimber of Beyond Black Mountain gave a brief talk about the history of the Caledon Wildflower Gardens and mentioned the large number of indigenous plants growing in the Gardens, among others, more than 230 species of Ericas.
Hermanus Times spoke to Theresa Plaatjies, one of the participants in this event, about what Freedom Day meant to her. “Freedom Day to me is a very sentimental day and 27 April will always be a day that has to be celebrated, because to me, this is the day that slavery was redeemed. I regularly partake in Freedom Day celebrations such as this walk and I am happy to see so many other people participating as well.”
