As South Africa approaches its 30th anniversary of democracy this year, citizens are
reflecting on the long journey to freedom and preparing to vote in the upcoming
elections on May 29th. In his speech to parliament, Premier Refiwe Tsipane urged
South Africans to remember the historic 1994 election that brought Nelson Mandela to
power.

“April the 27th, 1994 will forever remain indelible in the minds and annals of our history,”
said Tsipane. That was the day when “South Africans of all races voted for the first time
as one nation under a democratic dispensation.”

In his first address as president, Nelson Mandela spoke about the “triumph in the effort
to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people.” He said South Africans
could now “walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to
human dignity.”

Tsipane said that with each election, the ANC government renews its “covenant with the
people” that Mandela described. He called on all citizens to vote on May 29th and give
parties a fresh mandate.

“Free and fair elections remain our guiding star,” Tsipane emphasized. As South Africa
marks 30 years of democracy, citizens can reflect on the progress made and continue
working to fulfil Mandela’s vision of a “rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.”