Pledges in Commemoration of Freedom Day in South Africa

By Francis Mayebe , Candidate Attorney, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg

For some, Freedom Day is a day of leisure, perhaps a day off from work or school and more time to spend with our loved ones. Although these are of great importance in our respective lives, l challenge that we should view this significant day through a different lense. Before focusing on South Africa, one must appreciate the remarkable journey of transformation that our continent has gone through. One has to appreciate the era we live in, and that the rights and freedoms we enjoy today came at a high price. The price being centuries of struggle for those who lived before us, lives lost and years of activism.

From a South African context, Freedom Day is a special day. On Wednesday, 27 April 1994, the nation experienced its first democratic election to symbolise the start of a new era. About 19.7 million people had the opportunity to decide the fate of the nation and take the first steps towards the creation of a non-racial country, one in which the rights and freedoms of all could be shared and enjoyed equally.

As Nelson Mandela puts it, "We dedicate this day to all heroes and heroines who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so we could be free."

To commemorate Freedom Day, here are my pledges, l hope you join me in this campaign and provide yours:

1. Our forefathers and mothers fought for the freedom and rights we enjoy today with their hard work and sacrifice. Now we must work hard to create a better nation for generations that follow.
2. As we commemorate Freedom Day, let us renew our pledge to fulfil the dreams of those who sacrificed everything. Let us uphold unity, embrace progressive ideas and envision a future entrenched in economic prosperity for all.
3. As much as remembering our past is essential, we must focus on building the future, carrying with us our freedom. Let us pick up the cross of responsibility each of us owe to our society.
4. As young people, let us not stray away from our duty to uphold the ideals of freedom, through, amongst other things, a relentless pursuit of justice for all, and being agents of progressive constitutional democracy.
5. Let us not take our present freedoms and rights lightly. We should continue to remember that freedom comes at a great price and it is all of our responsibility to be the guardians of this fundamental privilege.

Personal reflection

Although we may face significant challenges both socially and economically, perhaps 27 April 2023 may be a day in which we reflect on the country's 29-year journey of freedom. Perhaps this is a day in which we can all reflect on our individual contributions and aspirations in fulfilling the hopes of those who paid the ultimate price for this present.