Freedom Day Messages from South Africans on our 20 Year Anniversary

Freedom Day meant a lot to a LOT of South Africans today. Twenty years of freedom and democracy, joy and heartache. Here, a few South Africans share their feelings…

Message from Lawrence Hilton:

I wrote a blog two years ago to celebrate Freedom Day and my Mom’s life called Happy Freedom Day! Out the blue of all our heavens – Mom and I and the 1994 South African elections.

Mary (my mom) passed away two weeks after we had all laughed as we pushed her in her wheelchair along a gravel path to the hall in Westdene to vote in 1994.

Here is an excerpt from the blog:

“Unfortunately the illness never allowed my mom to get to any of that freedom, but in my mind that does not lessen her spiritual contribution nor that of any other South Africans who at the time were just ordinary people, trying to survive extraordinary times, who all wished for a fairer land where no children would go hungry, where no one would live in any fear, where everyone had a safe roof over their head and could be cared for when not well. A place where the colour of your skin did not matter. Nor the brilliant contribution of other South Africans who also went about their daily lives and who had suffered unfairly under Apartheid, but who decided to forgive the past and the course of history and get on with it.

“Not all of us are cut out to be freedom fighters and politicians.

“But all those, even those who sometimes a little hesitantly embraced the change, all who shared this common bond of a great love for South Africa, can stand proud in that moment.”

Message/Photo from Regina Graeff‎:

Happy Freedom Day! Just back from cycling on the cycle path from the city to Blouberg. Amazing views! And ‘Rainbow Nation’ in action at Eden on the Bay:-)

Photo from Mary Efstathiou:

Sun setting behind Robben Island, celebrating FREEDOM DAY 2014.

Photo from Keri Petrie‎

This was the Sunset from Seapoint…