South Africa's National Day 2010

2010 – a year to celebrate for South Africa: Former President Nelson Mandela`s 20 year anniversary of his release from prison. South Africa hosts the biggest sports event of the world: the FIFA soccer World Cup. The deepening of the friendship between Germany and South Africa with Foreign Minister Westerwelle and Development Minister Niebel´s visit to South Africa.

Berlin 27.4.2010. The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Berlin celebrates South Africa`s National Day: the 16th Freedom Day. “Today we reflect and celebrate the journey that we have travelled to achieve our freedom and democracy”, says Ambassador Sonwabo E. Funde.

Freedom day for South Africans is as a reminder of the struggle for a free and just South Africa.  It is a day where all South Africans celebrate the Bill of Rights, which guarantees all South Africans freedom from the repression that characterized the country’s past. It is a day for South Africans to celebrate living in a time where human dignity is guaranteed, a time free of discrimination based on race, gender, creed or sexual orientation.

This Bill of Rights would not have been possible without all the heroes and heroines from all walks of life who sacrificed so much to ensure the freedom of all South Africans. This year marks the 20th anniversary of former President Nelson Mandela`s release – after 27 years in prison. It is an anniversary that led the current government under President Jacob Zuma to emphasize that despite the many challenges still ahead, South Africans will do their utmost to continue the legacy that Nelson Mandela has left.
As the first President of a democratic South Africa his inspirational leadership made it possible for South Africa to become the thriving, stable democracy it is today.

This year, Freedom Day is especially important because it is a year where the eyes of the world are focused on Africa. The FIFA soccer World Cup gives South Africans, all Africans, the opportunity to show the world and share with other nations its humanity, heritage and the beauty of the country, the continent. Since this is the first World Cup on African soil, South African and, indeed the entire African continent will display its music, heritage and rich culture during the FIFA World Cup.

The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa is especially honoured and proud of the good relations between Germany and South Africa. This could be observed when Foreign Minister Westerwelle and Development Minister Niebel visited South Africa in April for the bilateral conference. Westerwelle describes the special relationship between the two countries: “Germany and South Africa are linked by a shared value base, for example when it comes to human rights and democratic governance”.

And this is what South Africans world-wide celebrate on 27 April 2010: Deepening their democracy and celebrating their freedom!

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