Kwa-Thema – The Kwa-Thema Library hosted a vibrant event on April 25 to celebrate Freedom Month and received support from freedom fighters, artists, poets, and other creatives.
Each individual defined freedom differently in relation to their occupations, hustles, and abilities. Event organiser and librarian Nkosana ‘Checkmate’ Radebe said Freedom Month is a time to educate others about their rights.
“It allows individuals to express their freedom in different ways. It also enables us to commemorate fallen heroes who fought for our freedom in South Africa.
“This month marks the country’s transition from apartheid to democracy. April 27 is marked as Freedom Day and commemorates the first democratic elections in 1994.
“Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years in the fight for our freedom. His role in the anti-apartheid era played a significant role in shaping South Africa into what it is today,” explained Radebe.
Radebe cited Oliver Tambo, Steve Biko, Albertina and Walter Sisulu, Chris Hani and Desmond Tutu as some of the lifelong heroes in the strive and struggle for freedom.
“Having such events in the township encourages the will to learn and share the history of our country, watch documentaries, ask questions, and share facts and quotes to educate others.
“The library also promotes the need to read and remain informed. It offers books that carry valuable information that may enlighten individuals about their rights and how to exercise them,” he added.
EFF PR Clr Georgina Mashiane said it is important to celebrate Freedom Day.
“People shed their blood in fighting for freedom, the freedom that our generation is experiencing today. We are living better lives compared to the lives of our grandparents.
“The country has not fully reached the level of freedom we strive for but we are heading there. A lot still needs to be done and we still have to educate the younger generation about the rights that we have for them to use it correctly.
“There is equality and equality to proper access to resources and education. One way to contribute towards a diverse and equal country is to vote.
“Voting gives a specific political party proxy on an individual’s behalf to fight and advocate for their rights and freedom. This enables individuals to hold their preferred party accountable for anything,” said Mashiane.
Published author and poet Andile ‘Ekamashenge’ Mthembu mentioned many of her poems and books emphasise what freedom is.
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She said her freedom to be artistic enables her to educate others through writing about what it means to be free and what she thinks freedom is.
“As women living in South Africa, we constantly face infringements on our freedom. We are not safe and live in fear.
“We cannot walk freely at night without the fear of being killed, raped, threatened, and tortured or becoming a statistic of GBV,” mentioned Mthembu.
She mentioned femicide takes place every day, saying women still do not know what it means to be free.
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“Every hour a woman gets killed in South Africa. We have freedom and had it for many years but, there is no change.
“Events like these may help educate men about women’s rights and how they sometimes contribute towards infringements of those rights.
“My book has poems that define what it means to be free. Honestly, women are still not free,” she concluded.
The event held special events with performances from The Soul Healers musical group, activities, poets and speakers relating valuable information to community members.
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