2019-04-27 Sat

Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa celebrated on 27 April. It celebrates freedom and commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994.

The Dutch were first European to reach Africa who decided to establish a permanent settlement at the Cape. Like other Dutch colonies in the world, the colony at Cape was also taken over by the British shortly before the French Revolution. This attempt did not go without resistance. Following The Anglo-Zulu War and the Boer Wars, South Africa went into the hands of the British who introduced many harsh policies for the locals.

On 27 April 1994, the first democratic elections held in South Africa. These were the first post-apartheid national elections to be held in South African where anyone could vote regardless of race. Prior to this, during apartheid, racial segregation which was enforced by the National Party prevented any kind of inter-racial activity. With new franchise rights, black Africans and other citizens elected Nelson Mandela to be South Africa’s new president in 1994. This officially ended apartheid in South Africa.

The stamp shown above is issued by the South African Post in the year 2014 celebrating the 20 years of Freedom. The stamp does not come with a face value. It features the national flag held by a row of people. “20 Years of Freedom” and “South Africa 1994-2014 is written around it. The name of the country and the denomination “B5” is seen at the bottom.

Image Courtesy: https://in.pinterest.com

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