South Africans from all walks of life will today celebrate Freedom Day to mark the liberation of the country and its people from a long period of colonialism and apartheid. On 27 April 1994, millions of South Africans for the first time exercised their hard-won right to vote. Since that fateful day, South Africans have had four free and fair national elections.

To mark the day thousands of South Africans across the country are expected to celebrate the 16 years of freedom under the theme, "Together deepening our democracy and celebrating our freedom." The main event will be at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where President Jacob Zuma will address the masses."

The festivities at the Union Buildings will include a cultural parade, a performance and parade by the military band, a fly-past, messages from political parties in Parliament and a cultural performance. Recent South African Music Awards winners such as Big Nuz and Die Heuwels Fantasties will also perform at the event.

The day will give South Africans a chance to reflect on the path to building a united, non-racial, non-sexist country. It will also serve as a reminder that nation building requires every South African, young and old, to recognise and live by the principles enshrined in the Constitution.

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