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Freedom day celebrations
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 Sports, Arts Culture

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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH BY MEC BALINDLELA
AT THE FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS
24 APRIL 2000



Chairperson, Honourable Premier of the Eastern Cape, our Honourable guests, Kings and Chiefs, Government officials, Members of the 
community it is a great privilege for me to be afforded this wonderful opportunity to address this beautiful crowd on this very important 
occasion.

We are gathered here today to commemorate our attainment of freedom and our achievement of true democracy.Freedom Day pays tribute to the 
peoples of this country, individuals-young and old who put their lives at stake for the course of political emancipation.Freedom Day marks 
the demise of a brutal era, of systematic oppression, denial of majority rights and signals the ushering in of a new political dispensation 
in the history of South Africa.

It is an acknowledgement of the collective power and sheer determination of the anti-apartheid forces to dislodge the oppressive system 
that brutalised, demonised and dehumanised the black masses of this country.This day introduces a completely new chapter in the history of 
this country, a chapter that is characterised by an accelerated service delivery and vast improvement of people’s lives.

In concert with the constitution of South Africa, adopted in 1996, the celebrations also recognise the central importance of human dignity, 
the achievement of equality and advancement of human rights and freedoms.

This means that there must be a clear acknowledgement of the fact that persons, groups and communities have the right to equal 
opportunities, to participate in the arts and culture, to conserve and develop their cultural heritage.As this province has a rich vibrant 
cultural expression it fully embraces a principle of diversity.This principle requires that there should be recognition of artistic 
pluralism and diversity of artistic forms regardless of origin.

This principle presupposes that there should be a process of acknowledgement of all races- a process of optimisation of the races, 
therefore, a state of racial equilibrium - where there is mutual respect and equality among all races.Through processes of this nature, 
therefore, non racialism could obtain, where we recognise one another as equal human beings - as part of one human race.

It is crucial to mention that the expression of South Africa’s history through these celebrations, diverse cultural expressions, works of 
art and other forms to commemorate what is meaningful to all South Africans, has the potential to contribute to reconciliation and nation 
building.

Commemoration of big days does not only have to reflect back in the past, but also serves to educate our young generation and make them 
aware of African culture.Freedom Day Celebrations could be successfully used as a conduit to instil in our children a sense of pride about 
who they are.To the young and old these celebrations should provide for private reflection, quiete pride and silent grief.

For added emphasis it is crucial to mention once more that Freedom Day Celebrations give added meaning to sacrifices made by those men and 
women who fought and died in combat for true democracy.The names of the heroes such as Comrade Oliver Tambo, Sobukwe, Chris Hani and others 
will be known by many generations to come.

Realising the importance of rural development and service delivery the cabinet decided that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture 
should host the provincial celebrations in this region.

This idea to host provincial celebrations at Nkantolo was motivated by a realisation that events of this nature have a valuable impact on 
the whole community of the hosting venue, both, culturally and socially.

The profile of arts and culture is raised significantly and the organising of the celebrations serves to develop a good working 
relationship within government departments and role players in the province

Ladies and gentlemen let me conclude by saying let us continue to working together in an integrated manner.By doing this we shall always 
have an upper hand over all our formidable challenges like crime, poverty and unemployment.

These celebrations must serve as a unifying role - we must be united in diversity.

I thank you

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